Kellie Harrington: 'I know what it is to fail. This is why I am who I am'

TOKYO, JAPAN - AUGUST 05: Kellie Anne Harrington (red) of Team Ireland celebrates victory over Sudaporn Seesondee of Team Thailand during the Women's Light (57-60kg) semi final on day thirteen of the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games at Kokugikan Arena on August 05, 2021 in Tokyo, Japan. (Photo by Buda Mendes/Getty Images)

It may seem odd to zero in on failure at this, the most successful moment in Kellie Harrington’s career, but it is loss and error that makes an Olympic medallist more than any victories deposited to the memory bank.

Elite athletes have said as much time and again. Michael Jordan has always insisted that he has failed far more than he has succeeded. Many of these household names have commanded monstrous appearance fees to spread this gospel in the commercial marketplace.