Charlie Nash competed in the men's lightweight boxing at the 1972 Munich Olympic Games, reaching the quarter-finals before being disqualified against eventual gold medallist Jan Szczepański of Poland in a harsh ruling that deeply affected the Derry man.
Nash outclassed the Danish boxer Erik Madsen in his opening bout and halted Mexico's Antonio Gin in the opening round of his second contest before the quarter-final against the eventual gold medallist descended into controversy - Nash received two public warnings in the third round and when the referee administered a third, Nash was disqualified.
From Dunree Gardens, Creggan Estate, Derry, Nash had in 1970 become the first boxer from Derry to win an Irish senior boxing title, retained the title in 1971 and 1972. Olympic year began with a double tragedy. In January, his best friend Martin 'Mousey' Harkin died after suffering a broken jaw at the Ulster championships.
On Bloody Sunday, 30 January 1972, Nash's nineteen-year-old brother William was one of the thirteen civilians shot dead by troops of the Parachute Regiment in the Bogside, while their father Alex was shot and wounded as he tried to reach his dying son. William had celebrated his brother James's wedding the previous day.
Nash competed in Munich just seven months after Bloody Sunday, an act of extraordinary personal fortitude. On his return with fellow Derry boxer Neil McLaughlin, the community organised a welcome-home celebration and the four Derry athletes were given an open-topped lorry tour through the Creggan estate in the pouring rain.
Boxing
