Amy Broadhurst is in a race against time to change allegiance from Ireland to Team GB ahead of her bid to qualify for the Paris Olympics this summer.
After being told by the Irish Athletic Boxing Association (IABA) that she would not be going forward to the final Olympic qualifying tournament in May, Broadhurst, World Champion at super lightweight/light welterweight (63kg), started the process of switching to Team GB in a bid to still fight at Paris, the IABA has confirmed.
However, the deadline for entries for that final qualifier is on April 11th, leaving Broadhurst less than a fortnight to convince the International Olympic Committee (IOC) to grant an exception to their rules on national eligibility. According to the IOC website, athletes can only change nationality after “at least three years have passed since the competitor last represented their former country.”
The IOC’s executive board can grant exceptions to this in certain circumstances, provided relevant National Olympic Committees and International Federations are on board. Both the IABA and Olympic Federation of Ireland have said that, while they are “disappointed” in Broadhurst’s decision, they will not stand in her way.
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Broadhurst qualifies for Britain through her English-born father, Tony. In a statement released on X (formerly Twitter), said that she would be exploring “all options available.”
Gráinne Walsh defeated Broadhurst for the Irish welterweight title (66kg) and was selected to travel to Italy for the most recent Olympic qualifying event. However, she controversially failed to qualify. It appears now that the Irish boxing team has decided not to select Broadhurst to travel to Bangkok for what would be the final chance to make it to Paris this summer.
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“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,” said Broadhurst.
“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 spilt 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.”
Broadhurst has also previously expressed an interest in turning professional. An Olympic medal would be the perfect platform to launch a professional career.
In a statement, the IABA said that they have “expressed our disappointment, while wanting to ensure that she [Broadhurst] 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.”
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