Over 23 years ago I was selected for a national team and took almost a year 'off' from normal duties (I was U/T at the time; ultimately my career in that Branch suffered as a result). Yet, even 5 years ago, fellow officers were still sneering - as did a certain Desk Officer - with comments like 'oh, he's the guy that spends all his time off doing sport'.
This came to a head about 10 years ago on a course at AWC where a fellow student was describing a work-dodging Antipodean, who spent his 'whole time' away from work'. I realised he was describing me - clearly he'd never met me but was happy to perpetuate the myth. I disabused him of his nonsense.
Why should anyone have to apologise for being selected to represent his country, especially with the full blessing of the CoC?