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Irish former world champion boxer Amy Broadhurst looks set for a sensational switch to representing the United Kingdom in a bid to qualify for the Olympic Games in Paris.
The Dundalk native previously represented Northern Ireland, qualifying through her English-born father Tony.
Broadhurst was told by the Irish Athletic Boxing Association last week that she would not be going forward to the final Olympic qualifying tournament in May.
In a statement released on Twitter tonight, Broadhurst confirmed that she was “exploring all options available to me keep that (Olympic) dream alive.”
“I was left broken-hearted and completely devastated when I was informed by the IABA that I would be assessed for selection ahead of the final Olympic qualifier in May and that my Olympic ambitions were effectively over,” Broadhurst wrote.
“I have won World, European and Commonwealth gold medals and remain the IABA’s highest rated boxer in the current world rankings but my lifelong dream has been to become an Olympian. I have split blood, sweat and tears over 22 years in the boxing ring in pursuit of that childhood goal.
“Since being informed of the IABA’s decision, I have been exploring all options available to me to keep that dream alive. I will continue to do so because the Olympic flame continues to burn brightly in me and I am determined to do everything in my power to become an Olympian.”
— Amy Broadhurst (@amybroadhurst12) March 28, 2024
Gráinne Walsh defeated Broadhurst in the Irish welterweight (66kg) national final in January 2023. Broadhurst was then on the brink of qualification at that weight but lost to the UK’s ‘ Rosie Eccles in the quarter-finals at the European Games last June.
Walsh was controversially beaten in the first Olympic qualifying tournament in Italy earlier this month and the IABA has decided to send the Offaly woman, rather than Broadhurst or former 70kg world champion Lisa O’Rourke, to the final qualifier in Bangkok.
Broadhurst swept the European, Commonwealth and World Championship titles at super lightweight/light welterweight (63kg) in 2022 but that is not an Olympic weight.
The 27-year-old is believed to favour competing at lightweight (60kg) but countries can only qualify only boxer per weight for Paris and reigning Olympic lightweight champion Kellie Harrington has already secured qualification.
The UK do not have a boxer qualified at 60kg though, meaning the pair could potentially meet in Paris, if Broadhurst’s application is fast-tracked by the International Olympic Council and she secured a place at the final tournament in Thailand.
In a statement, the IABA said that while it was disappointed with Broadhurst’s decision, it would not oppose an application to switch nationality.
“We were contacted by Amy Broadhurst who has indicated that she intends to seek a change of nationality in a bid to qualify for the Paris Olympic Games.
“We have discussed this with OFI [Olympic Federation of Ireland] and Sport Ireland and have expressed our disappointment, while wanting to ensure that she understands the full ramifications of this request and the advice she might be receiving if she decides to go ahead with it.
“We have indicated that if she really thinks that this is best for her as a person and an athlete after these discussions that we will not stand in her way.”
