Kellie Harrington Sets Sights on Los Angeles 2028: 'I Will Give It a Go'
Two-time Olympic gold medallist Kellie Harrington has confirmed she will attempt to qualify for the 2028 Olympic Games in Los Angeles, keeping alive the dream of a historic third Games appearance for the Portland Row native.
Speaking at the launch of Sportsfest 2026 at TUD Grangegorman campus, where she appeared in her role as a Dublin City Council Sports Ambassador, the 36-year-old said she feels no pressure as she prepares for the qualification road ahead.
What did Kellie Harrington say about competing in Los Angeles 2028?
Harrington indicated she is ready to give qualification a serious go, with the process beginning in April 2027. The boxer, who won back-to-back Olympic golds in Tokyo and Paris, acknowledged the difficulty of the journey ahead but remains motivated.
I have no pressure on me because at the end of the day, I've done back-to-back gold, and that hasn't been done before in female sport in Ireland. So I am pretty happy with that. I will probably try and give it a go to qualify,
Harrington said, reflecting on her unique place in Irish sporting history.
What is the road to Olympic qualification for Harrington?
The qualification path runs through the 2027 Irish national championships in January, followed by the 2027 World Championships in Kazakhstan. Harrington stressed that nothing can be taken for granted along the way.
I never look at medals or anything like that. Trying to get there is a very, very hard process. But they'll start in April of next year and, like I said, it's very hard, and plus you have to get out of Ireland, so you have to win your Irish Championships and you should never overlook them either,
she said.
Even if she does not make it to LA, Harrington said she would be content supporting her teammates on the biggest stage.
It would be a dream to try and qualify for a third Olympic Games. And I've also been thinking if I did get to go to LA, it would be fantastic to get out there and to watch some of my teammates participate and take medals home in boxing, because I do believe that we have a couple of people who could do well out there,
she added, declining to name names to avoid adding pressure.
How does Harrington feel about Katie Taylor's Croke Park farewell?
Harrington welcomed the announcement that Katie Taylor's farewell bout at Croke Park on September 5 will be broadcast live free-to-air on RTÉ, calling it a massive step for accessibility in Irish sport.
It's great that it is going to be accessible to everybody all over Ireland, and they don't have to pay for it. It's fantastic for the youth that aspire to do something, and it doesn't have to be in boxing, it can be in sport, acting or education,
she said.
What does Harrington think of Emmet Brennan and Thomas Carty on the undercard?
Harrington expressed deep pride in seeing fellow 2020 Olympian Emmet Brennan and longtime clubmate Thomas Carty feature on the Croke Park undercard.
It's such a privilege to be in the position that I'm in, but to watch Emmet Brennan go out and box in Croker, someone who I've been in Tokyo with, someone who I've trained and lives across the road from me, and now he gets his chance to box in Croke Park now, that's special,
she said.
Thomas Carty, we both started in the same club together, and to watch them now go out there and to box on the biggest stage in Ireland is fantastic. It's great for them and our community, and it's great for Irish sport,
Harrington added.
Harrington's recent form remains strong. After winning her 12th Elite national title in the National Stadium last January, she took gold at the four nations tournament in Glasgow in June. She returned to the ring in December for an exhibition at the Mansion House, her first appearance since retiring after Paris 2024.
Why is this significant for Irish sport?
Harrington's potential third Olympic campaign would be unprecedented for female sport in Ireland. Her decision to pursue LA 2028 keeps a beloved figure at the heart of Irish boxing and offers inspiration to a new generation of athletes across the country.
With qualification beginning in April 2027, Irish boxing fans have much to look forward to as one of the nation's greatest sporting figures prepares for one more chapter.
Photo: Irish Independent