Olympic hero Egan apologises as fame affects his fortunes

THOSE who have hammered Kenny Egan since his return from Beijing have failed to land the knockout punch and, last night, the Olympic silver medallist was back among his own.

The former Head of the High Performance Unit, Gary Keegan, issued a statement on behalf of the nine-times Irish senior champion yesterday in which Egan apologised to everyone affected by his recent activities outside the ring and, particularly, his failure to show up for Friday night’s international against the USA.

Egan was, in fact, staying with friends in New York for the weekend trying to evade media attention.

Yesterday Keegan, who is now Director of Performance Management with the fledgling Institute of Sport, issued a statement on Egan’s behalf: “Kenny wishes to express his sincerest apologies to everyone and in particular all those people who have been very supportive of him both through his journey to the Olympic Final in Beijing and after the games.” he said.

“He would also like to apologise to his mother and family for all the media attention that his success has brought to their doors.

“Kenny knows he has largely fed the media commentary and wishes to hold his hands up and again apologise to all involved.

“He has found dealing with the success and the new found fame it brings very challenging and he says himself that he hasn’t handled it appropriately and put himself out there in celebrity world and got caught up in it.

“He would like to apologise to his team mates, coaches and support staff in the High Performance programme and to the President Dominic O’Rourke and the IABA for letting them down by not turning up to compete in the recent international against America.

“Kenny, while trying to please everybody, left himself open to all sorts of requests which ultimately left him in a position where he couldn’t meet his commitments.

“He has made a decision not to box on (the undercard to) the Bernard Dunne world title fight because he is not in condition to compete at this point. Kenny wanted to apologise to Brian Peters for any inconvenience this will cause and wishes Bernard the very best in his title fight.

“Kenny has to get back to basics and doing what he knows best — ‘Hard Work’ and real ‘Commitment’ — in a place he loves: Irish boxing; the gym; the ring; the International arena; and among his team mates.”

Gary Keegan who had been Egan’s confidante throughout the long and difficult journey to Beijing was always going to be involved in resolving his latest problem.

“But I am just a little piece in the middle,” he insisted. “I am very happy to be able to help. Kenny may be an Olympic silver medallist but he is also a human being and he has admitted that he has not handled the fame that came with his Olympic success all that well.

“But with the help of Billy (Walsh), Gerry (Hussey) and all the support staff at the High Performance Unit he will get through this. He is prepared to accept whatever sanction, if any, the IABA deems appropriate and is determined to lead the Irish team into the London Olympics in 2012.

“He is very disappointed at having to miss the big world title show at the O2 but understands that he is not in condition to take on the Olympic champion right now.

“Kenny has learned from his mistakes in the past. What he has managed to achieve — to deliver the performances he did — is nothing short of phenomenal.

“For me that is what makes him all the more intriguing — the boy next door who managed to do amazing things at the very highest level of sport which is the Olympic Games.”