Tears of pride, not sadness, as Walsh exits Olympics

"The medals and the success, when you are going through your most difficult times they mean absolutely nothing."

There were tears as an emotional Aidan Walsh exited the Olympics in Paris after losing to Makan Traore in the last 32.

But they weren't of sadness, they were of pride.

One year ago, Walsh never thought he would be in a situation to compete at a second Games.

After winning Olympic bronze in Tokyo for Ireland and Commonwealth gold for Northern Ireland, Walsh took 14 months away from the sport to focus on his mental health before a last-minute phone call led him to trying to qualify for Paris.

He managed that at the final attempt and given his personal journey over the past two years, even being in Paris was a success for the Belfast fighter.

"It's just a privilege to be here. My career isn't defined by the success I've achieved with the bronze medal," he said.

"My career is defined by the heart that I have."

When it came to his opening bout in Paris, Walsh was not only up against Traore but the raucous home support, who cheered every punch.

Walsh edged a cagey first round - in which both fighters were reminded to engage - but Traore fed off the energy in the North Paris Arena.

The French fighter responded in the second and ultimately claimed the decider as the stands reverberated with noise and clamour.

After the result was declared, Walsh graciously lifted his opponent's arm into the air and he was smiling in the ring as he shook the hands of the coaches and the referee.

And then came the emotion.

"After the qualifiers I didn't really have a chance to soak it in because there was so much pressure and a lot of expectation," he said.

"Now the emotions are coming out because to qualify was so, so hard. Thailand was one of the hardest experiences of my life.

"Having six fights in a week, you aren't able to show your emotions."

Walsh admits he doesn't know what is next for him in his boxing journey. It's still too soon, still too raw.

"I'm studying for my Masters degree at the minute and I'm doing a few other things. I'm enjoying competing, but I'll weigh up my options.

"I'm performing well, it's just a case of if I have the love of it when I was 12 or 13. At the minute I'm enjoying it, but I have to ask myself a lot of questions.

"I'm only 27, so I might take another two years and come back again. Who knows?"

'No medal for struggle'

Walsh held up Traore's arm after the defeat in Paris

His sister Michaela was there in the arena to cheer him on, and she was shadowing every move in the stands.

However, a resigned shake of her head and pat on the shoulder meant she knew what was coming when the bout was over.

While his long-term future was unclear, Walsh said his immediate focus was to support his sister, who fights on Friday, and the rest of the Irish team.

"My luck was in Tokyo, her luck will hopefully be here with the rest of the team and I'll be there supporting them."

Walsh had always said that his second Olympics would be a bonus, no matter what happened in the ring.

His journey in Paris may be over, but there was always a bigger picture for him.

"I'm walking about the Olympics Village as the happiest person in the world. It's a privilege, and as long as I came here happy I don't care about the medals or the results.

"It's great to achieve, but in my greatest struggle there was no medal for it.

"No-one really sees it, but that was my greatest achievement."