Should Amy Broadhurst secure her position in the Olympics, the situation will only grow more complicated. In the upcoming weeks, Broadhurst’s Olympic fate will be determined in Thailand, where if she performs as she did in 2022 – earning titles as World, European and Commonwealth champion – she may find herself in Paris to fight at the 60kg class in late July and early August, representing Great Britain. This places her in direct competition with Kellie Harrington, also in the 60kg class.
If this transpires, it will indeed be a predicament we’ll struggle to fathom – as Edmund Blackadder might put it: messier than Little Miss Messy eating an Eton Mess at Messrs Maguires. The prospect of two Irish world champions battling each other in any situation is unprecedented and uncomfortable for all involved. Competing for the same Olympic medal – it’s an unimaginably contentious situation.
Some friction has already been documented between the two athletes. Harrington outperformed Broadhurst in 2018, advancing to the peak of the 60kg class for the Tokyo games. Broadhurst later suggested in an interview that by 2022, Harrington would not be able to defeat her. Harrington was less than pleased, dismissing any claim that her elevation in the ranks was due to anything other than her strength as a fighter – at the time, Broadhurst didn’t have the “nerve” to take on the challenge herself, Harrington observed.
After Broadhurst had a brief stint in the 66kg class, things appeared amicable once again. They’ve been team-mates, sparring partners, and high-performance allies for a long time now. However, this situation has reintroduced an element of rivalry and competition. If they end up head-to-head in the competition, this will surely be brought into focus.
Broadhurst certainly has a long journey ahead. As she sets out for Bangkok as part of the British team, she’s painfully aware that in the qualifying tournament, she might be the most isolated participant. The selection of Broadhurst to compete for Britain because of her English father has been met with almost universal disapproval.
Broadhurst herself is not pleased, having spent her entire career aspiring to box for the Olympics on behalf of Ireland. Similarly, the British boxers in her weight category are frustrated, having trained for a full Olympic cycle just to see an Irish newcomer take the final qualification spot. You’d assume that the British team’s backed staff isn’t thrilled either, having built relationships with the competitors Broadhurst has now overtaken, and must now support someone they barely know.
So yes, the situation is rather complicated. Usually, a win can simplify things, but not in this case. Suppose Broadhurst shows up in Bangkok in top form and ends up winning the qualifying tournament. Such a significant accomplishment would be clouded by a sea of confusion.
If this were to happen, the Dundalk girl from Glenmore Park would be thrust into a world where images of a climbing Union Jack and the echoes of “God Save the King” spread swiftly online, without any acknowledgement of the detailed circumstances. Broadhurst has already been lambasted as a defector, and other, less polite labels, by some.
Her choice to compete for Britain is clearly not an easy path for Broadhurst. From her perspective, however, she didn’t have a say in this decision. The selection of Gráinne Walsh to represent Ireland at 66kg by the IABA, and with Harrington already chosen to defend her 60kg gold medal, Broadhurst was left with only one route to the Olympics. And she had little choice but to seize that opportunity.
Remember, by 2028, she’ll be 31 years old, and there’s a real possibility that boxing may not be featured in the Los Angeles games. Being a 27-year-old reigning world champion in an Olympic year happens once in a lifetime. If presented with such an opportunity, who wouldn’t grasp it?
Naturally, one would expect to identify Broadhurst by her nationality, given her sporting success and victories in both Irish and Northern Irish attire. She has been a committed member of the High Performance Unit, her training partially funded by Irish taxpayers.
Throughout her five-year tenure as an athlete funded by Sport Ireland, she has accumulated grants equalling €123,000. There is a certain dissatisfaction with the idea that these assets might ultimately be used to train a British gold medalist at the cost of an Irish contender.
However, this issue is fundamentally detached from Broadhurst’s focus. Instead of accentuating the victim mentality, it is important to recognise that her competitor, Walsh, is an extraordinary talent who triumphed over her last year and fell prey to harsh judgement at a qualifier in March. Indeed, the spirit of the Olympics transcends any misgivings as we each get only one run in life.
Importantly, Broadhurst’s decision to attempt qualification for Paris sporting British colours serves as a reflection of the unique commitment required to become an Olympian. This often misunderstood facet of the Olympics is underscored by the singular, personal journeys undertaken by countless athletes. It’s a lonely quest, where individuals strive to be at their prime just once every 1,461 days.
Whilst the public might rally around these athletes and voice their support on the day of competition, they also understand that the majority are blissfully unaware of their grueling four-year cycle.
For many of these athletes, the weight of representing their country is palpable and forms a central part of their endeavour. But the pursuit of an Olympic medal, such an individualistic aim, usually impels athletes to look inward for motivation. The solitary journey often compels athletes to give their best not for a country or a flag, but for themselves.
Broadhurst has indeed undertaken a significant and courageous act. Should she find herself facing Harrington come August, we may wish for her endeavour to falter. However, it’s commendable to acknowledge the sheer nerve and audacity required to seize such an opportunity.