Irish state broadcaster RTÉ have claimed this week that over 1.3m people witnessed Kellie Harrington make Olympic history this week.
The Portland Row native became the first Irish boxer ever to retain an Olympic title after her victory over China's Wenlu Yang in the women's 60 kg final at Roland Garros.
The win means that the Dubliner is now a double gold medallist, a feat few can only dream of achieving.
Millions of people from Ireland tuned in from around the world, and according to RTÉ, a peak audience of 1,371,400 on RTÉ2 watched Harrington's statement victory on Tuesday night.
The broadcaster also reported on their website that the audience for the fight itself represented 83% of those watching TV at the time. There were also 369,000 streams on RTÉ Player, the broadcaster's streaming service.
RTÉ Group Head of Sport, Declan McBennett, said this week: "The nation stopped and the nation watched in awe and admiration. Kellie showed yet again, as with all the Irish medallists at these games, how sport can grip our attention and fuel our imagination.
Memories to cherish for a lifetime 🇮🇪💚
Kellie Harrington strikes GOLD again 🥇🥇
Our first Irish female Olympian to win back-to-back gold medals at successive Olympic Games.
Comhghairdeas 👏#TeamIreland #OlympicGames #Paris2024 #boxing #Ireland @IABABOXING… pic.twitter.com/nMFSmjEYwn
— Sport Ireland (@sportireland) August 6, 2024
"Last night's images will forever live in Irish hearts and minds and will inspire those who follow in her footsteps."
There had been clamour after the fight for Harrington to go pro, even at the age of 34, but the Dubliner admitted that her victory in Paris was her last.
Harrington is now focused on spending time with her wife, Mandy, and family.
"I am done now. The next chapter is going to be my life chapter. It's for me and Mandy now," she added after the fight.
"I can't wait to just live my life and not look at the scales every morning. It's crazy, and all boxers will say the same: to train the way we want to train.
"It's like, we can't do that because we can't get injured, or you can't do that because you will be tired tomorrow and then you won't have anything left to spare.
"I want to be able to do whatever type of training I want to do.
"It's the stuff of dreams. It's just mad; it's crazy. Nicola Adams, Claressa Shields, and Kellie Harrington. To be up there with them is just amazing."
