Canberra hockey star Anna Flanagan has admitted news of her Olympics non-selection was a shock, but insisted the Hockeyroos weren't pressured into overlooking her after her drink driving charge.
Flanagan was told the bad news on Friday and despite her omission from the 16-player squad, Flanagan has vowed to do everything she can to help her teammates prepare for Rio and will continue to train with the squad.
Am emotional Flanagan said on Monday she "won't be commenting on the DUI" after she lost her licence for 10 months and was fined $1000 for the March incident in Perth.
The 24-year-old is the poster girl for Australian hockey but her selection hopes took a major blow when she was dropped for vital lead-up tournaments – the International Hockey Open and Champions Trophy.
Kirstin Dwyer, who took Flanagan's place for the Champions Trophy, was named in the Olympic squad.
Australian Olympic Committee chef de mission Kitty Chiller has taken a hardline stance on athlete behaviour, and Canberra tennis star Nick Kyrgios eventually made himself unavailable for Rio in the wake of a public backlash.
Shooter Michael Diamond was banned from selection after he was charged with drink driving and firearms offences.
But Flanagan insisted Hockeyroos coach Adam Commens wasn't backed into a corner.
"Definitely not. The AOC cleared me to play, I was available for selection and I thought they were very professional about it," Flanagan said.
"I'm grateful for the AOC's support. It was a decision by the coaches.
"It was a bit of a shock, it's obviously devastating knowing you've trained for four years [and won't be there].
"I've gone through a pretty tough time and trained the whole time through while the girls have been playing.
"I'm going to continue to train with the group and be there as much as possible to help them achieve gold in Rio.
"Hockey is my passion and I love playing for Australia and this group of girls. I want to keep playing, despite not being there."
Flanagan said her parents, Fred and Judy, and boyfriend Hans had been critical in getting through the media storm after her drink-driving conviction, which she initially withheld from Olympic officials, became public.
"I'd be lying if I said it was easy. There's been a lot of media attention and I only want my sport to be seen in a good light," she said.
"I only want the focus to be on the girls. It's going to be difficult.
"My mum and dad have been amazing, as has my boyfriend and the girls in the team have obviously reached out, we spend every day together.
"I've had a huge amount of support from my peers and they want you to succeed as well. There's some really good people in my life and I'm excited to watch them play and do well."
AOC spokesperson Mike Tancred said the decision rested solely with Hockey Australia, who have indicated it was purely based on the strong form of other players.
"We looked at her matter and decided she was eligible for selection, that's where it ended for us," Tancred said.
"We contacted Hockey Australia and they made a decision on who they'd put forward [for selection]."
Fellow Canberran Edwina Bone was chosen to make her Olympic debut after playing more than 100 Tests over the past three years.
Brooke Peris, the first cousin of Olympic gold medallist Nova Peris, was also selected.
Squad: Brooke Peris, Casey Sablowski, Edwina Bone, Emily Smith, Gabrielle Nance, Georgie Parker, Georgina Morgan, Grace Stewart, Jane-Anne Claxton, Jodie Kenny, Karri McMahon, Kathryn Slattery, Kirstin Dwyer, Madonna Blyth, Mariah Williams, Rachael Lynch