Around the Stade Roland-Garros, people were dancing like there was no tomorrow as music played.
The woman who fought in the 60 kg weight class successfully defended her Olympic title in Paris 2024, beating Yang Wenlu of the People’s Republic of China, who was ranked first, on Day 11 of the games.
The boxer won a close fight in Court Philippe-Chatrier by a score of 4–1. She is the first Irish woman to win back-to-back Olympic gold medals.
Ireland and Harrington will never forget that night.
Harrington backed on by an Irish sea of support
With a stadium full of loud fans waving a lot of different flags, it was the Irish fans who made the most noise and energy.
Harrington told Olympics.com, “Having my family, my closest friends, and my coach there to celebrate it with me today just lifted me. They were absolutely amazing.” “This is for me, but it’s also for everyone in Ireland to see what you can do if you believe you can.”
“I just want kids, teens, adults, and everyone else to know that things don’t just happen to you.” After the first and second tries, you have to keep going.
When Harrington came out of the locker rooms and went to the ring, Stade Roland-Garros was filled with Irish flags. The people waving them were making their voices heard. In the ring, the fighter battled hard against a strong opponent, responding to their roars with determination.
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Harrington enters herself into Irish Olympic history
There have only been two Irish Olympians who have won back-to-back gold medals. The most recent was hammer thrower Patrick O’Callaghan in 1928 and 1932.
At 34 years old, Harrington has made history, adding to an already great Games for Ireland.
“The last three years have been a roller coaster because I didn’t think I’d be here,” Harrington said. “Even after qualifying, I thought, ‘I don’t think I’m going to get there,’ because I wasn’t in a good frame of mind. Luckily, the people I’m with believe in me. They got me out of bed to go to the gym when I didn’t want to.
Before and after the final bell, she danced in the ring. When her arm was raised, she danced on the clay court of Roland Garros: game, set, match.
Harrington was moved to tears when she stood on the top step of the Olympic podium for the second time in her career. And a very rough emotional roller coaster at that.
Next steps for the two-time Olympic champion
Harrington thinks that might have been her last fight. If it was, she left the ring at the top of her game and with two or three gold medals around her neck.
She also had on a gold chain with the Olympic rings on it. Her partner gave it to her after she won in Tokyo 2020. She said, “I’d like a ring!” when asked what she would get to celebrate her win in Paris. It could be another Olympic ring as a souvenir or a figure of speech for what she thinks will happen next.
Ireland’s fourth gold medal of the Games is from her gold bout. This makes Paris 2024 the best Olympics for the country ever in terms of golds and total medals.
As Harrington won the gold medal, her family and friends were there to cheer her on from across the Celtic Sea. Ireland will keep dancing to celebrate, and Harrington will be the one to lead the way.