Irish former world champion Amy Broadhurst has been selected to box for Great Britain at next month's Olympic qualifier in Thailand.
The Dundalk boxer has switched alliegence from Ireland to the United Kingdom after the Irish Athletic Boxing Association told her in March that she would not be selected for the final qualifier in Bangkok.
Broadhurst, who holds a British passport through her English father Tony, released a statement at the time saying she was "heartbroken" at the IABA's decision and was "exploring all options available to me to keep the Olympic dream alive."
This evening, it was confirmed that Broadhurst had been selected by GB Boxing to box at 60kgs, the same weight category as Ireland's Olympic champion Kellie Harrington.
"It has always been my dream to compete at the Olympic Games and I am very happy that I have been selected by GB Boxing to go to the final qualifying event in Thailand in May," Broadhurst said in a statement released this evening.
"The decision to pursue an alternative route to the Olympic Games – after I was informed by the Irish Athletic Boxing Association (IABA) in March 2024 that I would not be assessed for selection for the final qualifier – was not taken lightly and, as the holder of a British passport, I felt I owed it to myself and all the people that have supported me throughout my career to do everything possible to continue to pursue my dream of competing on the biggest stage in sport.
"Since I first walked into the GB Boxing gym, I have been made to feel incredibly welcome by my new teammates and all of the coaches and support staff and I would like to thank everyone at GB Boxing for their support and hard work over recent weeks in helping to keep my Olympic dream alive and enabling me to have this opportunity."
Broadhurst was overlooked for selection at 66kgs, the IABA opting to select national champion Gráinne Walsh, who was controversially defeated in the first Olympic qualifying tournament in Italy in March, ahead of Broadhurst and former 70kg world champion Lisa O'Rourke.
Walsh defeated Broadhurst in the Irish welterweight (66kg) national final in January 2023. Broadhurst was then on the brink of qualification at that weight but lost to the UK's ' Rosie Eccles in the quarter-finals at the European Games last June.
Broadhurst swept the European, Commonwealth and World Championship titles at super lightweight/light welterweight (63kg) in 2022 but that is not an Olympic weight.
The Dundalk boxer favoured fighting at 60kgs but countries can only qualify only boxer per weight for Paris and reigning Olympic lightweight champion Kellie Harrington has already secured qualification.
When Broadhurst signalled her intention to seek qualification under the Team GB banner, the IABA expressed disappointment and said it was keen she understood "the full ramifications of this request" but added that it would not stand in her way.
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