Olympic boxing medallist Harry Garside fined for breaching Covid restrictions

Hours after leaving hotel quarantine, Olympic boxing medallist Harry Garside was fined for attending a party in defiance of covid restrictions.

Olympic boxing medallist Harry Garside has been fined more than $5,000 for breaching Victoria’s coronavirus restrictions.

Olympic boxing medallist Harry Garside has been fined more than $5,000 for breaching Victoria’s coronavirus restrictions – after he attended a party in Mooroolbark on Saturday night.

The 24-year-old Victorian won Australia’s first boxing medal in more than 30 years at the Tokyo Olympics, after clinching bronze at the games.

Garside, who is a plumber by trade, touched down in Melbourne on Friday evening after completing hotel quarantine in Brisbane in the wake of his Olympic triumph.

The illegal gathering took place at a home in Melbourne’s outer eastern suburbs the following evening at around 6.30pm.

Victoria Police became aware about the illegal gathering after they were notified by the party host the following day.

They contacted police directly after pictures of the event were posted on social media.

Five people will be issued with infringement notices for attending the event.

“All attendees will be interviewed and issued with a $5454 infringement notice for breaching Chief Health Officer directions,” a spokesperson said.

Garside in action at the Tokyo Olympics.

Garside became the first Australian to claim an Olympic boxing medal in 33-years after reaching the semi-finals in the Tokyo games.

He won the bronze medal after losing to his bout against Cuba’s Andy Cruz by unanimous decision.

Garside, who incorporates ballet dancing into his training, said he hoped his Olympic success would serve as an inspiration for young boxers who will be competing in the 2032 Brisbane Olympics following his bout.

“Now hopefully I’ve inspired the next generation of boxers leading to the 2032 games and let’s hope it’s our most successful games ever,” he said.

The last Australian to claim an Olympic boxing medal was Grahame ‘Spike’ Cheney who claimed silver in 1988.

Garside and the Australian Olympic Committee were contacted for comment.

Originally published as Olympic boxing medallist Harry Garside fined for breaching Covid restrictions