Madam, – I see that once again the achievements of Katie Taylor have been alluded to as being of little interest to the general public (Dr Gareth Keeley, September 22nd). Ms Taylor is now a three-time world champion and I consider that to be a monumental achievement. I remember well the hyped up reporting of the Irish cricket team beating Pakistan at the World Cup, and indeed the fervour surrounding Kenny Egan’s silver medal at the Beijing Olympics in 2008, rather different to the luke warm – at best – reception given to a multiple international gold medal winner.
Perhaps this reflects the thinly-veiled sexism still very much at play in Irish society. David Grant’s letter (September 22nd) clearly shows these double standards in practice, specifically labelling women boxing as a “travesty of a sport”, seemingly excluding the male equivalent. He also shows remarkable ignorance as to the ethos of amateur boxing, where the emphasis lies on skill and technique rather than attempting to punch each other unconscious, as he puts it. Maybe we should just leave gender out of it and celebrate these achievements fully.
Fair play Katie Taylor, may you get the credit you deserve, sooner rather than later.
– Yours, etc,
Madam, – Emily O’Callaghan (September 21st) is obviously unaware that we do have an unsung male three-time world champion. Not only that, but probably the greatest in the history of his sport. Key words: Paul Brady handball.
– Yours, etc,