Cyprus Shooters Walk Out of European Skeet Final Over Referee Decision

In Malakasa, three Cypriot shooters—Sotiris Antoniou, Giorgos Achilleios and Demetris Konstantinou—abandoned the team skeet final against the Czech Republic after a referee ruled Antoniou missed a target. The athletes requested a video review, but the decision was upheld, prompting protests and a walkout. The Cyprus Olympic Committee’s audit committee will examine the incident, reviewing video footage and witness statements before interviewing the athletes. SKOK president Lenos Kyriakou said the shooters’ exit was “wrong” yet acknowledged their belief in an unjust call, and noted that disciplinary action would be delayed until the upcoming Doha world championships, where Olympic qualification spots are on the line. The sports ethics watchdog EDPA has already begun its own inquiry and is seeking serious penalties for both the athletes and SKOK officials.