‘I am trying to get everyone refunded as soon as possible.’
Emmet Brennan’s emotional post-fight interview, at Tokyo 2020, sparked an out-pouring of support and good-will, but the boxer has assured everyone he is doing fine.
Brennan battled to make it to the Olympics despite shoulder, rib and elbow issues that meant he was far from 100% when he took to the ring, in pursuit of a medal.
He ended up losing to Uzbekistan’s Dilshod Ruzmetov in his Last 32 bout and fronted up for an RTÉ interview that gained traction. Des Cahill asked him about the Credit Union loan and part-time job that Brennan took out, and up, to get to these games.
“Without my family, I wouldn’t be here. It’s gutting. Gutting. I know I didn’t let them down, but you want to win here.”
That interview was widely shared on social media, as well as being aired a couple of times on RTÉ. It led to one helpful individual setting up a GoFundMe page so that Brennan could cover the Credit Union loan.
On Monday afternoon [Monday night in Tokyo], the Dubliner took to Twitter to thank everyone for the support and say he did not need any donations to be made as the loan amount had been covered. He wrote:
‘I am aware there has been a GoFundMe page set up for me to pay back a loan I took out to fund my training. I did not set up or have anything to do with the page, although it was set up in good faith.
‘The loan has been paid back in full by a sponsor of mine. I appreciate everyone putting money into this, but I cannot accept this. I am trying to get everyone refunded as soon as possible.’
1/2 1am aware there has been a gofundme page set up for me to pay back a loan I took out to fund my training, i did not set up or have anything to do with the gofundme page, although it was set up in good faith
— Emmet Brennan OLY 🇮🇪 (@emmetbrennan91) July 26, 2021
2/2 The loan has been paid back in full by a sponsor of mine.
I appreciate everyone putting money into this, but I cannot accept this. I am trying to get everyone refunded as soon as possible.— Emmet Brennan OLY 🇮🇪 (@emmetbrennan91) July 26, 2021
Fair play to Brennan for keeping track of this and acting quickly to try and get money back to those that kindly donated.
When it comes to character and class, Emmet Brennan is second to none here.
