Joshua Azzopardi v Australian Athletics

The Appellant, Joshua Azzopardi, is an athlete and member of the Respondent, Australian Athletics, the National Sporting Organisation for athletics in Australia.

On 5 June 2026, the Respondent lodged an application with the National Sports Tribunal (NST) following the Appellant’s non‑nomination for the Men’s 100 metre event at the 2026 Commonwealth Games to be held in Glasgow, Scotland. One nominated athlete, Rohan Browning, joined the proceedings as an Interested Party.

The nomination and selection of athletes for the Games is governed by the Team Nomination, Selection and Appeals By-Law (the By-Law) and the Australian Athletics Nomination Policy - 2026 Commonwealth Games, Glasgow, Scotland (the Policy). 

The Appellant submitted that the Policy was not properly applied, arguing that the Australian Athletics Selection Committee placed undue weight on certain criteria and failed to properly consider his recent performances and comparative results. 

Australian Athletics submitted that its Selection Committee exercised its discretion in accordance with the Policy and its objective of nominating the most competitive team, having considered a range of relevant factors in nominating another athlete.

An oral hearing was held on 15 June 2026.

On 16 June 2026, the NST Panel dismissed the appeal, finding that the Australian Athletics Selection Committee exercised its discretion reasonably, in good faith, and in accordance with the Policy, and that there was a material basis for the Applicant’s non‑nomination.