Katie Taylor realises her Olympic dream as she secures place in London games

Irish hero qualifies for games with China walkover

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Katie Taylor speaks to the media after she qualified for the London 2012 Olympic Games

Photo by David Maher/Sportsfile

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Irish girl Katie Taylor has made it to the Olympics – and described it as a ‘dream come true’.

The Wicklow boxer booked her place at the London games when she received a walkover in her quarter-final at the World Amateur Championships in China.

Taylor, whose talent is widely acknowledged as one of the reasons why women’s boxing is finally an Olympic sport, will now lead the Irish quest for a gold medal in August.

She was due to meet Michaela Lacatus of Romania in China but a neck injury forced her opponent to withdraw.

With a French girl losing in another quarter-final, Taylor is now the highest ranked European left in the world championships and guaranteed an Olympic spot.

“I still can’t believe it,” said Taylor as she celebrated with her father and coach Pete Taylor.

“Fighting at the Olympics has been my lifelong dream and I cannot believe I am thee now.”

Taylor will now box in the semi-finals on Friday.

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