Taylor’s Olympic dream in balance

KATIE TAYLOR’S participation in the London Olympics in 2012 is in serious doubt, according to President of the Olympic Council of Ireland, Pat Hickey, who said yesterday that the inclusion of women’s boxing was far from a done deal.

When AIBA, the world governing body, recently backed ladies boxing as an Olympic sport for 2012, it appeared as if it was guaranteed. But that is far from the case. Two years ago Hickey sat alongside President of the IOC, Jacques Rogge, when Katie Taylor produced a spectacular performance in an exhibition bout staged to win support for women’s boxing at the world championships in Chicago. He has been pushing tirelessly since to have it included on the programme.

However, he admitted yesterday it is going to be a long road with the ultimate decision likely to come from an EGM of AIBA.