Josh Azzopardi 'robbed' of Commonwealth Games 100m spot

Josh Azzopardi says he feels "absolutely robbed" after missing out on selection as a 100 metres runner in Australia's athletics team for the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow.

The 26-year-old finished behind Lachlan Kennedy and ahead Rohan Browning in the 100m at the national championships in April.

Browning is a two-time Olympian and four-time national champion, with his personal best of 10.01 in 2021 the fourth fastest 100m time by an Australian in history.

But Browning was named one of three individual 100m runners for next month's Games, along with Kennedy and all-conditions record holder Eddie Nketia.

"I feel absolutely robbed to have not been given a 100m selection," Azzopardi wrote on Instagram.

"The reasonings I still don't completely understand after a consistent and what I would say a successful domestic season … disappointed with how the outcome has been reached."

The post by Azzopardi, who was included in the team as a relay runner only, was liked by Nketia, heptathlete Tori West and sprinter Bree Rizzo.

"To everyone in and out of the athletics community who has reached out, I appreciate your support always, and from the vibe of the messages and calls, I think everyone knows what the decision should've been," he wrote.

"It's hard to reconcile that people who sit in a room and determine these selections can control your future when they don't know what it's taken to get to the present moment."

Check out the full athletics team.

Azzopardi appealed the decision to the National Sports Tribunal but was unsuccessful.

"To everyone who was involved with my appeal process, can't thank you enough as it's (sic) was a crazy time with added stresses," he said.

"Nevertheless, the 4x1 squad in Glasgow is ready to [cook] and can't wait to see what that has in store for us all. Always an honour to wear the green and gold."

Chairman of selectors Peter Hamilton spoke about the vagaries of the selection process on The Call Room podcast with former sprinter Jason Richardson.

"There are three in the 100m, and those were the last ones we looked at," Hamilton said.

"How do we pick each one? We discuss each one on their merits, what their performances have been historically, how far apart they were.

"Azzopardi finished in front of Browning st nationals, but we're talking 0.03 of a second, so the differences aren't huge.

"At the end, it's a gut call from the team."

Azzopardi's personal best of 10.09 at the Perth Track Classic in February is 0.1 of a second faster than Browning's season's best of 10.19, which has him ninth among Australians this year.

Chloe Mannix-Power is in a similar boat to Azzopardi, having finished second in the 100m at nationals but only named as a relay runner in Glasgow.

Torrie Lewis, Ebony Lane and Georgia Harris will run the women's 100m.