Ireland’s former world boxing champion Amy Broadhurst has switched allegiances and will represent Great Britain at the upcoming Olympic qualifiers in Thailand.
The 27-year-old, who holds both a British and Irish passport, made the decision after being rejected by Irish officials for the final stages of preparation for Paris.
Broadhurst took world light welterweight gold in Istanbul in 2022 and also won the European and Commonwealth Games titles in the same year – the latter representing Northern Ireland.
Broadhurst said in a statement: “It has always been my dream to compete in the Olympics and I am delighted to have been selected by GB Boxing to go to the final qualifying event in Thailand in May.”
“The decision to take an alternative route to the Olympics – after being informed by the Irish Athletic Boxing Association (IABA) in March 2024 that I would not be considered for final qualification – was not taken lightly.”
“As a British passport holder, I felt I owed it to myself and all the people who have supported me throughout my career to do everything I can to continue my dream of competing on the sport’s biggest stage realize.”
Broadhurst, who is based in Dundalk, qualifies for Northern Ireland and Great Britain through her English-born father Tony.
The 27-year-old missed qualifying for Paris in the European Olympic qualifiers last year and subsequently suffered a shoulder injury that ruled her out for the rest of the year.
Amy Broadhurst won gold for Northern Ireland at the Commonwealth Games
Her place in the Irish squad has been taken by Grainne Walsh, who almost reached Paris in the last qualifier in Italy and is also expected to play in Bangkok.
Commenting on the move to GB Boxing, Broadhurst added: “I have been incredibly welcomed by my new team-mates and all the coaches and support staff and I would like to thank everyone at GB Boxing for their support and hard work over the last few weeks. “I have helped achieve my Olympic qualification To keep my dream alive and give me this opportunity.
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Sky Sports News reporter Geraint Hughes travels to Paris to present the security plans of the French government and the Olympic Organization as they prepare to host the 2024 Olympic Games in the capital
“My priority now is to continue to train hard, listen to the coaches and give myself the best possible chance to succeed in qualifying and achieve my dream of securing a place at the 2024 Paris Olympics. “
The 2024 Paris Olympics will take place from Friday, July 26th to Sunday, August 11th, with boxing starting on Saturday, July 27th.
Watch Lauren Price in her first world title fight against Jessica McCaskill on her Wales homecoming from the Utilita Arena in Cardiff on Saturday May 11th, live on Sky Sports.
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