Kellie Harrington reveals she nearly quit Irish Olympic team before historic gold medal in Paris
The two-time gold medallist opened up about “difficult challenges” she faced in the run up to this year’s Olympics
Double Olympic champion boxer Kellie Harrington has admitted she nearly gave up her place on the Irish Olympic team this year before claiming a historic gold medal in Paris.
The two-time gold medallist opened up about “difficult challenges” she faced in the run up to this year’s Olympics when her father-in-law passed away last December and her beloved dog died in January.
Speaking to Ryan Tubridy on The Bookshelf podcast, she told the host she had thoughts of giving up her quest for a second Olympic gold medal.
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She described her thinking to Tubridy during a difficult period, saying: “I wouldn’t give it (the spot) back to the IOC to give it to another country but if I could give it up to another Irish girl, she can have it.”
Harrington said she went so far as to ask if she could give her position to another Irish girl but was told it was not possible. But she added that she was glad she had been told that.
The Dubliner also opened up about her dream job now that she is retired, saying she would love to present a TV show about finding homes for rescue dogs, along the lines of the late Paul O’Grady’s, For the Love of Dogs.
The latest episode of The Bookshelf with Ryan Tubridy is available to listen to from today (November 12).
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