Gold Coast triathlete Emma Snowsill will appeal a decision by Australian selectors to leave her out of the Olympic squad for London.

The selection committee is under attack for snubbing the Beijing Gold medalist, after choosing rising star Emma Jackson, who has beaten Snowsill in four of their past five clashes.

Jackson’s been handed the third and final women’s spot for the Games, beginning in late July. Beijing bronze medallist and Gold Coast girl Emma Moffatt was pre-selected last year and Erin Densham was picked because of her exceptional form this year.

The Courier Mail reports, the decision to omit Snowsill will be remembered as one of biggest selection calls of Australia's entire Olympic squad.

Snowsill's Beijing gold was one of Australia's most emotional victories, after the death of her boyfriend and fellow triathlete Luke Harrop in a hit-and-run accident when she was just 19.

But looking at recent performance, Jackson stands out. The 20-year-old was the highest placed Australian (fourth) in the world championship series last year.

Gold Coast star Brad Kahlefeldt, along with Courtney Atkinson and Brendan Sexton will make up the men's team.