Jonny Stapleton
Kellie Harrington’s bid to become the boxer to win back-to-back Olympic gold medals will begin in Krakow later this month.
The reigning lightweight Olympic champion was one of 12 boxers named on a Team Ireland select to contest the European Games, a competition that doubles up as Paris 2024 Olympic qualifier.
A total of 44 places at Paris 2024 are up for grabs in the boxing element of the multi-sport Games that glove off on June 23.
If St Mary BC’s Harrington is to represent Ireland at back-to-back Olympiads she will have to reach the semi-final of the 60kg competition.
The popular Inner City Dub will be favoured to do just that, especially considering the fallout between the IBA and IOC will limit the field.
In fact, with so many big countries remaining loyal to the IBA and thus unlikely to compete in Paris, Harrington will be in a strong position to medal at the 2024 Games.
If Harrington does make it to the top of the podium, she will become the first Irish boxer to win two Olympic gold medals.
The 33-year-old will also become the first Irish athlete to stand on top of an Olympic podium in separate Games since
hammer thrower Pat O’Callaghan, a hero of the 1928 and 1932 Games in Amsterdam and Los Angles respectively.
The World, European and Olympic gold medal winner isn’t the only Dub on the 12-strong team. Monkstown’s little and large duo Sean Mari and Jack Marley have both been selected.
Rathfarnham’s Mari will represent Ireland at 51kg, meaning the reigning Elite champion and World Military Games bronze medalist has to reach the European Games final to secure his place on the plane to Paris.
European U22 gold medal winner Marley is Ireland’s heavyweight representative and needs to make the final four to ensure he is Paris bound.
Jennifer Lehane (left), who pipped Ballyboughal’s Niamh Early to selection, is from county Meath but fights out of the Dublin City University BC.
Kellie Harrington during a Team Ireland Boxing squad announcement in advance of the 2023 European Games at the Sport Ireland Institute in Dublin. The Olympic Federation of Ireland has named the 12 boxers who will contest the European Games this month. Photo : David Fitzgerald/Sportsfile
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