Sligo boxer Dean Clancy, at the age of 22, is embracing the experience of being at the Paris Olympics as a first-time Olympian. Despite the grandeur of the event, Clancy remains focused on his goal of winning a medal early in his career. He acknowledges the surreal feeling of waking up in the Olympic Village but is grateful for the years of training that have led him to this moment.
Clancy values the advice and wisdom shared by experienced Olympians like Kellie Harrington, Aoife O’Rourke, and Michaela and Aoife Walsh. He sees them as valuable resources who have been through the Olympic experience and are willing to offer guidance to younger athletes like himself.
Approaching the tournament with a calm mindset, Clancy aims to treat it like any other competition, focusing on one fight at a time and not letting the pressure of the Olympics overwhelm him. He understands the importance of staying grounded and following the game plan set by his coaches.
While waiting for the draw on Thursday, Clancy immerses himself in the Olympic Village atmosphere, engaging with athletes from different sports and learning from their preparations. He takes on the role of ‘head barista’ for his team-mates, enjoying the camaraderie and sense of community among the athletes.
Despite the delay in the draw, Clancy remains unfazed and sees it as an opportunity to settle in and prepare mentally and physically for the competition. He believes that he and his team are in the best shape possible and are ready to compete for a medal.
As fans eagerly anticipate the 2024 Olympic Games, they can look forward to 14 hours of televised action on RTÉ2 and RTÉ Player each day. Extensive radio coverage will be available on RTÉ Radio 1 and 2fm’s Game On, with updates and highlights also accessible on RTÉ.ie, the RTÉ News app, and all RTÉ digital platforms. For further insights and analysis, listeners can tune into the daily RTÉ Sport Olympics Podcast.