Katie Taylor has been chosen to carry the Irish flag at the opening ceremony of the London 2012 Olympic Games on Friday night.
She is the third women to be given the honour in recent times after Ciara Peelo in 2008 and Sonia O’Sullivan in 2000.  She is also the third boxer after Wayne McCullough in 1988 and Francis Barrett in 1996.
Taylor arrives in London today where she will join the other boxers on the team.  She will return to Ireland after the opening ceremony to complete her final preparations before starting the competition in its second week.
She will have a maximum of three fights as she pursues her dream to become one of the first medallists in her sport.  Being seeded number one gives her a bye through the Round of 16 on Sunday, August 5th.  Her first fight will therefore be the Quarter Final on Monday August 6th at 1330.  The Semi Finals are at 1330 on Wednesday 8th and all being well, the Final is on Thursday 9th August at 1630.
The schedule for all the Irish competitors can be found on the Olympic Council website.
Lisa Kearney in Judo and Sanita Puspure in rowing will be the first in action at 0930 on Saturday morning and Katie Taylor’s club mate Adam Nolan could be the last with the final of his 69KG division on the closing day of 12th August.
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