Gráinne Walsh arrives in Paris and is named co-leader of Irish Olympic boxing team

Gráinne Walsh and her Irish boxing teammates touched down in Paris today (Monday), as the countdown continues to the start of the Olympic Games later this week.

The 28-year-old Tullamore woman also had the honour of being selected as one of the two co-leaders of the 10-strong Irish Olympic boxing team, along with Belfast's Aidan Walsh (no relation).

The Olympic boxing draw will be held this Thursday, with the opening ceremony of the Games taking place the following day.

The boxing itself will start this Saturday but, depending on the draw, the earliest Gráinne will be in action in a 'round of 32' bout would be on Sunday.

The boxers flew to Paris this morning, and the Irish Athletic Boxing Association (IABA) this evening issued a statement announcing Gráinne Walsh and Aidan Walsh as co-leaders of the team.

High Performance Director, and Paris Team Leader, Tricia Heberle, said: "Aidan and Gráinne are outstanding members of an extraordinary group, in terms of the High Performance traits of accountability, professionalism and performance that they exemplify.

"Aidan and Gráinne have both risen beyond significant challenges on their respective roads to Paris, and in so doing, have shown courage, excellence and integrity – traits which exemplify the Olympic spirit."

The team's head coach, Zauri Antia, said: "Every person on our team is a leader – they lead towards their own performance goals.

"I am very proud of every member of this Paris team, and how they have grown in skill and capability on this journey.

"Gráinne and Aidan will be excellent team co-leaders; they are already driving towards their Olympic goals and set a wonderful example to their teammates."

The Irish boxing team for these Olympics is the country's largest since the Games in Rome in 1960. Only Australia (12) and Uzbekistan (11) will have more boxers in Paris.

Team Ireland is also one of only three countries to have qualified a woman at all weights, with Gráinne Walsh the country's representative at 66kg.