Featured Image Credit: BBC/Getty
Topics: Olympics
Marcus Chan
Team GB star Amber Rutter has called for VAR to return to her sport after being denied a gold medal at the Paris Olympics.
On Sunday afternoon, Rutter was shooting for Olympic gold in the women’s skeet event.
As the score was tied at 55-55, a shoot-off had to take place between Rutter and Chile’s Francisca Crovetto Chadid to decide the winner of the gold medal.
During her final attempt, Rutter was adamant that she hit both targets but the judges thought differently as she was awarded one hit and one miss.
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Chadid then stepped up to seal the gold medal as she hit both targets.
However, replays appeared to show Rutter hitting both targets and fans were adamant that Team GB were robbed of the gold medal.
On Monday, speaking to the BBC, Rutter said: “I managed to get into a shoot-off for the gold medal match. We tied after our 60 targets and then we went into a shoot-off. We shoot a pair and then we switch over.
“I believe that I hit my last target but unfortunately the ref didn’t see it. I turned round and tried to appeal it but the ref didn’t see it and they called it as a loss. But I think from the reaction I’ve had from everyone today, from back home, saying they did also see that target break – it is painful.”
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She added: “But this is what happens in sport. It is part of the game and I know it wasn’t just me who was affected. There were other athletes in the final who believe they hit shots as well and they weren’t given it. But this shows just how important VAR systems are.
“It is something we did have but I’m not quite sure where it was this time. But I don’t want to take away from all the hard work that has gone into this [silver] medal. It is something to be celebrated, not stewed on.”