Kellie Harrington won Gold in the Boxing Women's 60kg Final at the Paris 2024 Olympics on Tuesday night, August 6.
Harrington, 34, won after a split decision over China’s Wenlu Yang at Roland Garros Stadium on Tuesday night
In doing so, Harrington has made history by becoming the first Irish female athlete to not only win medals at two Olympic Games, but to win two Gold medals.
The Dublin boxer was guaranteed an Olympic medal after progressing from the semi-finals to the finals last week. She is the only Irish boxer ever to contest back-to-back Olympic finals.
Ahead of this year's Olympic games, Harrington indicated that she had hoped to become the only Irish athlete since hammer thrower Pat O’Callaghan (Gold in 1928 and 1932) to successfully defend an Olympic title by winning Gold in Paris.
She's now done it, joining fellow Irish rower Paul O'Donovan who this year also defended his Gold medal from 2020/2021.
Harrington's Gold medal officially brought Team Ireland's medal haul to seven (four Gold medals and three Bronze medals), bumping Ireland into the 12th spot on the Paris 2024 medal table.
“You are an inspiration,” Team Ireland said on social media shortly after Harrington’s historic win.
KELLIE HARRINGTON
A double Olympic Gold Medallist, defending her Olympic gold from Tokyo ?
You are an inspiration ✨#TeamIreland | #Paris2024 pic.twitter.com/xmKjTSTM5w
— Team Ireland (@TeamIreland) August 6, 2024
Speaking after her Gold medal winning match on Tuesday, Harrington told RTÉ Sport: "It just gives hope to all these young kids, all these young kids, all these teenagers, it gives hope to them.
"It gives hope to the people of Ireland.
"But this one's for me."
Harrington said her plan was "just to be happy, just to smile, be happy, enjoy it."
She continued: "It's the last hurrah. I'm done! I've always said I want to retire a champion, that's it."
An ecstatic Kelie Harrington gives a shout out to all her coaches on her way to collecting a second gold medal#RTESport #Paris2024
— RTÉ Sport (@RTEsport) August 6, 2024
? Watch https://t.co/b2OI4OoWVJ
?Updates https://t.co/c67AsBzqqS pic.twitter.com/DGEaujG2SN
Harrington was swiftly met with a wave of congratulations on Tuesday night.
In her home of Portland Row in Dublin, her tearful parents Yvonne and Christy joined neighbors for a celebratory rendition of the Irish song "Grace."
Kellie Harrington’s parents Christy and Yvonne celebrate in song on Portland Row after their daughter won a second Olympic gold medal.
Incredible scenes ☘️?? pic.twitter.com/s48D8eo7Nh
— FM104 (@FM104) August 6, 2024
Meanwhile, Taoiseach Simon Harris said the "entire country is watching your celebrations with joy and is hoarse from shouting you on."
You’ve done it Kellie Harrington. Gold!!!!!
That was tough, strategic, smart!
Simply magnificent. The entire country is watching your celebrations with joy & is hoarse from shouting you on.
Two time Olympic Champion Kellie ??
Paris 2024 - A record Olympics for Team Ireland pic.twitter.com/J5B4ccIeGP
— Simon Harris TD (@SimonHarrisTD) August 6, 2024
Tanaiste Micheál Martin said Harrington "filled Irish hearts with pride again this week."
Simply magnificent Kellie Harrington, back-to-back Olympic champion!
That was a boxing masterclass against a formidable rival.
You filled Irish hearts with pride again this week. An inspiration.
— Micheál Martin (@MichealMartinTD) August 6, 2024
President of Ireland Michael D. Higgins said Harrington's Gold medal is "a truly remarkable achievement by a phenomenal sportsperson."
Congratulations to Kellie Harrington on her historic achievement in becoming a double Olympic champion with a wonderful Gold medal. A truly remarkable achievement by a phenomenal sportsperson
— President of Ireland (@PresidentIRL) August 6, 2024
First Minister of Northern Ireland Michelle O'Neill also extended her congratulations.
?? Congratulations to Kellie Harrington on winning gold and making history as the first ever Irish female Olympian to win back-to-back golds! ?? pic.twitter.com/Z68kf8RTAZ
— Michelle O’Neill (@moneillsf) August 6, 2024
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