Green wall of noise as fans cheer champion
For the second successive day, this sprawling complex was home to wave after wave of Katie Taylor fans with smiling faces, funny hats, and big expectations.
It was an ocean of green coloured humanity splashing along the corridors of the boxing venue. And boy, did they make some noise.
They began the chants and singing well before Katie took to the ring, cheering and hollering Great Britain’s Nicola Adams to victory over Cancan Ren.
From once Katie marched from the dressing-rooms with Rihanna blaring on the sound system, there was no let-up from the Irish crowd as they applauded, chanted, sung, roared, screamed, shouted, and shook themselves in a frenzy.
This was the kind of audience that evangelist Billy Graham and boxing promoter Don King could only dream about.
Irish Olympic swimmer Melanie Nocher was among those lending her vocal chords to support Katie.
The Down girl said: “I have no voice left. I am so happy. She did the dance I told her to do! I knew she had it won when the fight was over. She is unbelievable. The girl is a hero. I absolutely love her. I have been living next door to her in the Athletes’ Village for the last few days and got to know her. She is such a little gem. I am so proud of her.”
Nocher is as impressed by Katie the person as Katie the boxer.
“She is such a lovely girl. You couldn’t ask for a better person to win. You wouldn’t know that she is a boxer as she is so, so quiet.”
London is Nocher’s second Olympic Games as a competitor. But nothing in Beijing or here compared to the eight minutes of breathless action in this corner of the city.
“This is just mental. I would have loved this kind or reaction for the swimming,” she roared as she tried to make herself heard over the cheers for the new Olympic champion.
“The noise here in the ExCel is ear shattering. But to be here today is a privilege.”
Julia Hayes from Knocklong in Limerick was wearing her support for Katie with a huge logo on her T-shirt that simply read “I love KT”.
Hayes had travelled to London solely to see the Bray boxer in action.
“She is fantastic. It was even more intense than I thought it would be. The crowd was unbelievable with all the Irish songs and chants. It feels like I am back at home. I was a bit worried after the second round and it was a bit tight at the end, but it was some fight.”
Corkman Brian Healy was another fan soaking up the magic he had just witnessed.
“What a woman? Is she just not the best woman of all time? She is a hero. What a legend. What a fantastic person. I just admire her all the time. It is just fantastic to see her and to see her winning Olympic gold.
“It puts everything at home with the economy at the moment into perspective. When someone like that can do that and win an Olympic gold, it shows what can be done. Fair play to her.”
Mr Healy struggled to put the enormity of the day, the occasion and the Irish crowds into words.
“I think someone has to be here to experience it. It is just the excitement and the buzz and the support of Katie has to be seen to be believed.
“It is up there with anything in sport, All-Ireland finals, you name it. Katie for the Olympics! Cork for the All-Ireland!”
At least one leg of the dream has been achieved.
* Oscar De La Hoya @OscarDeLaHoya
Katie Taylor congratulations on winning gold. You are amazing
* Andy Lee @AndyLeeBoxing
A proud day to be Irish. Katie was supreme.
* Barry McGuigan @ClonesCyclone
KAtIE TAYLOR... LEGEND !!!!
* Piers Morgan @piersmorgan
And Ireland EXPLODES.....! #KatieTaylor
* Gary Lineker @GaryLineker
Katie Taylor wins Gold for Ireland. What an afternoon for women’s boxing!
* Nick Clegg @nick_clegg
Congratulations Katie Taylor on her hard fought gold. Crowd packed with Irish fans. Unbelievable atmosphere. #boxing
* Paddy Barnes @paddyb_ireland
Katie Taylor!!! Unreal!!! That is all :)
* Maverick Sabre @MaverickSabre
Gwaaaaaaaaaaaaaaan Katie Taylor!!!!!!!!! Done Ireland and herself proud...
* fabrice muamba @fmuamba
Laying down in my hospital bed, watching Katie Taylor, She is got the best supporter. The Irish fans are unreal.
— Rachael Power
Read more:
A turning point in how we see ourselves?
‘She’s the world’s favourite Olympian. She’s bigger than Bolt’
No longer an ordinary girl just doing her job, she is a heroine and a queen for life
‘Katie’s psalm’ is a plea to God to be her shield
‘The Irish people admire her and love her to bits’
‘I just knew it was Katie’s destiny to be Olympic champion’
Katie lifts gold – and hearts of a nation
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