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Taylor won her fifth world title in November. Doug McDermott/INPHO

Despite criticising RTÉ, Katie Taylor is to work on new documentary with the state broadcaster

It will chart her preparation in the build-up to the Rio Olympics in 2016, assuming she qualifies.

LESS THAN A MONTH after lambasting the state broadcaster for their ‘lack of coverage and support’, Katie Taylor has revealed she will be the subject of a new RTÉ documentary in the build-up to the 2016 Olympics.

The Olympic gold medalist publicly criticised RTÉ in December after turning down the invitation to attend the broadcaster’s Sports Person of the Year awards ceremony.

Taylor claimed RTÉ ‘jump on the bandwagon when the Olympics come around every four years’ and pointed to the extensive coverage rugby and GAA receive as weight in her argument that boxing receives little attention.

However, speaking to Marty Morrissey today, her father and coach, Peter Taylor, revealed that Katie will work with RTÉ ahead of Rio.

“We’re looking forward to working with RTÉ,” he said.

Taylor will be hoping to defend the Women’s lightweight title she won in London but first her focus is firmly on ensuring she is in Rio when the qualifying tournament takes place next year in Kazakhstan.

“That’s the most important competition of them all. I have to qualify first so that’s going to be the main event,” she said speaking on RTÉ Radio 1.

“I have the European games during the summer. That’s going to be a huge competition for me. It’s like the European Olympics – it’s the first time it’s taking place.”

Taylor admitted she has turned down several professional contracts but said the opportunity to represent Ireland in the Olympic games far outweighed any financial incentive.

“I was offered a few contracts from the pro game. But my heart was never in the pro game from the start… for me in the end, representing my country in the Olympic Games can’t outweigh that.

“It’s not hard to motivate myself. I love my sport and boxing is my passion. It’s a privilege to be representing my country whether it’s in the European Championships or the World Championships or the Olympics.”

The 28-year-old was forced to withdraw from the National Elite Championships earlier this month due to injury.

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Ryan Bailey
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