A father has denied stalking his daughter's rival for a place on Australia's Olympic archery team, saying he doesn't "believe in intimidation".
Jonathan Barnard, 56, is accused Of trying to put Odette Snazelle, 18, off her game during several sporting events in January and February this year.
Ms Snazelle claims Barnard - the father of her competitor Elisa Barnard - followed her around, positioned himself behind her as she shot and blocked her entrance to the bathroom.
In Downing Centre Local Court today, Ms Snazelle's mother, Emma Snazelle, said she had told Barnard at an event on February 5 that his behaviour was upsetting her daughter.
On February 19, Barnard again attended an event where Ms Snazelle was competing, despite the fact his own daughter was not.
In giving evidence, Barnard said his motivation for attending was to scrutinise the "operation of qualifying events for the Olympic Games".
"I didn't believe there'd be any issue with me attending the event," Barnard told the court.
He rejected claims the encounter with Emma Snazelle two weeks before should have indicated there would be an issue with him attending.
"If I genuinely felt Odette was being intimidated in any way I wouldn't be there, because I don't believe in intimidation," he told the court.
Ms Snazelle took out an interim apprehended violence order (AVO) against Barnard earlier this year, preventing him from coming within 200 metres of her.
Ms Snazelle and Elisa Barnard had been vying for a spot at the London Olympics.
The matter continues before Magistrate Lee Gilmour.
