It’s 24 days to the first bell at #Paris2024. This is a special Games for #TeamIreland, its the centenary of the beginning of the Irish Olympic journey. Between now and the opening bout of the Games, we’re celebrating each and every Boxing Team that’s contested an Olympic Games, beginning with the team of Paris, 1924.
A total of 44 nations were represented at the 1924 Games. Boxing took place Vélodrome d’Hiver, along with fencing, weightlifting and wrestling.
Team Ireland, Paris 1924
Myles McDonagh, Flyweight Men, who achieved a 9th place finish
Robert Hilliard, Bantamweight, who achieved a 9th place finish
Men Dan Flaherty, Bantamweight (DNS)
Men Mossy Doyle, Featherweight, Men who achieved a 17th place finish
Pa Kellegher, Lightweight Men, who achieved a 17th place finish
Paddy Dwyer, Welterweight Men, who achieved a 4th place finish
Paddy Lenehan, Welterweight Men (DNS)
Boy Murphy, Middleweight, Men, who achieved a 5th place finish
John Kidley, Light-Heavyweight Men, who achieved a 9th place finish
Paddy Dwyer, in a modern Olympic Games, would have come home with bronze and would have held the title of Irish’s first Olympic Boxing medalist. However, until 1948, losing semi-finalists boxed for bronze.
And bantamweight Bob Hilliard went on to be immoralised in song by Kildare’s Christy Moore:
126 events in 23 disciplines, comprising 17 sports, were part of the Olympic program in 1924. Cross-sport, The United States won the most gold and overall medals, having 229 athletes competing compared to France’s 401.
Paris 1924 had some memorable competitors, across sports, including American swimmer Johnny Weissmuller, who won three golds. He claimed two further golds at the 1928 Games and went on to become famous playing Tarzan in 12 movies. The Paris Games themselves became immortalised in “Chariots of Fire”, the Oscar-winning film about principled British runner Eric Liddell by Hugh Hudson
One venue from the 1924 Games is slated to be used in 2024. The extensively renovated and downsized main stadium, known since 1928 as Stade Olympique Yves-du-Manoir, will host field hockey.