On this morning's Jennifer Zamparelli show on 2FM, Jennifer was joined on the show with Olympic Champion Kellie Harrington's brother, Christopher Harrington.
Kellie's incredible victory - as well as her family's emotional celebrations on Portland Row - made global headlines, even catching the attention of the official Olympics Twitter account:
The moment when she was named Olympic champion! 🤩
— Olympics (@Olympics) August 8, 2021
🎥: @YeSecondPostpic.twitter.com/7lHiCj5TQV
Christopher joined Jen on the line to discuss the wholesome celebrations and the atmosphere in the house before and after the historic moment when his sister won her gold Olympic medal in lightweight boxing final in Tokyo.
"Proud and happy doesn't really sum it up," he told Jen. "Very proud of what Kellie has done for herself, for her family, the community and for the nation of Ireland."
Kellie Harrington's family held up a banner that read "rock bottom built more champions than privilege ever did" and let me tell you were they right, what a win over the moon for her and her family nobody deserves it more
— Jodie Duggan (@jodiesnowflake) August 8, 2021
"The whole experience of seeing the north inner-city community just being together and just having the time of their life basically. It was just beautiful yesterday just seeing all the young kids and seeing people that you know, just haven't seen each other in years."
"People coming from all parts of the country, knocking on the door giving bags of potatoes - stuff like that is priceless you know it shows and embodies. I think yesterday embodies what we are as a people - what Irish people are. It was just great to see everybody together, and just so happy for one of their own, you know?"
"I didn't even think anyone would be up watching"
— Team Ireland (@TeamIreland) August 8, 2021
Kellie Harrington reacts as @RTEsport’s @jacquihurley shows her the scenes from home as she boxed her way home to Olympic gold 🥇🇮🇪
What a moment… We’re not crying, we just have something in our eye… #TeamIreland #Tokyo2020 pic.twitter.com/EmCzwdPLYC
Kellie - who works as a cleaner in St Vincent's Hospital Fairview - has shown exceptional grace and sportsmanship throughout her time at the Olympic Games.
Not only did she bring home the gold but she made her country proud though her gestures - from bowing at the Olympics opening ceremony to inviting her fellow athletes to stand on the podium with her at the medal ceremony.
Irish boxer Kellie Harrington wins gold at Tokyo Olympics, invites her opponents to share the winner's podium. pic.twitter.com/ghjvJj735C
— RD (@rumovoxo) August 8, 2021
According the her brother Christopher, the boxer has always been an exceptionally humble character and her family couldn't be prouder.
"To see what she did yesterday is just... the only word to describe it is beautiful. These are things that don't happen."
"To see that moment yesterday, for her to share that and for her to realise the magnitude of it, and have the respect that she did for all of her opponents - its beautiful. That's the only word I can use to describe it because seeing it was just... it was magic to see that."
The moment Portland Row saw Kellie Harrington take gold @Kelly64kg @rtenews @RTEsport pic.twitter.com/PAnsC6aiJK
— Samantha Libreri (@SamanthaLibreri) August 8, 2021
The celebrations on Portland Row made a big impact on social media, with videos and photos of the community cheering, crying, popping champage and setting off confetti quickly going viral and evoking a huge amount of emotion from fans across the country.
Kellie Harrington's brother Joel on RTÉ there saying his community in Portland Row isn’t "disadvantaged".
— Jade Wilson (@jadeswilson) August 8, 2021
"It’s one of the richest, if not the richest in the country because it’s rich in support, camaraderie and community values," he says.
Inner city pride on the airwaves 💪🏼
Post box in Summerhill, not far from Portland Row, goes gold for Kellie Harrington 🥇#Olympics #Tokyo2020 @TeamIreland pic.twitter.com/DugFhJEbJ7
— Richard Chambers (@newschambers) August 9, 2021
Impossible to not be moved by Kellie Harrington's victory. A frontline worker from Portland Row standing top of the podium in Tokyo? It’s just magic.
— ⭐ amy o'connor ⭐ (@amyohconnor) August 8, 2021
Cork and Kilkenny fans stopping at Portland Row to congratulate Olympic gold medallist Kellie Harrington's family, before today's All-Ireland hurling semi-final at Croke Park. #GAA #Tokyo2020 pic.twitter.com/HZaVZvM85O
— Eoin Ryan (@eoinryan101) August 8, 2021
Oh, to be on Portland Row this morning!#olympics #tokyo2020 #RTESport #boxing
— RTÉ Sport (@RTEsport) August 8, 2021
📺 Watch live - https://t.co/IpdMKF55tD
📱 Updates – https://t.co/huAtW8EXqg pic.twitter.com/UAsLlNt9gO
Listen back to Jennifer's chat with Christopher on RTÉ 2FM here:
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