Female boxer to lead Irish team
A female boxer will lead the Ireland team out at the opening ceremony of the London Olympics on Friday.
Katie Taylor, one of the favourites to win a gold medal when boxing for women makes its Olympic Games debut, has been named as her country's flag bearer.
The four-time world lightweight champion has played a major role in women's boxing. She is regarded as Ireland's best hope to win a gold medal in London.
The 26-year-old boxer is one of the country's most popular athletes. Her role as flag bearer was well deserved, Irish Amateur Boxing Association chief Tommy Murphy said on Tuesday.
"It's a great honour for Irish amateur boxing. We are delighted that Katie has been chosen to be the flag bearer,” he said in a statement after the Olympic Council of Ireland had confirmed the decision.
"She is the first female boxer to represent this country at the Olympic Games and it is a good choice.
“Katie is a fantastic ambassador for our sport and her record in international competition speaks for itself."
Sapa-AFP reported after the world championships in China that the Irish punching machine reached her fourth consecutive women's world championships final when she eliminated Tajikistan's Mavzuna Chorieva 16-6.
She then won the lightweight title, which she had held since 2006, by beating Sofya Ochigava of Russia 11-7.
Taylor is normally coached by her father Peter.
