The 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris will be hosting more than a dozen local athletes through Aug. 11, including Jahmal Harvey (21), who has been in the boxing ring since he was just 13, when his football coach encouraged him to try boxing in the off season.
After his first session, the Oxen Hill, Maryland, resident says he was hooked on the sport. Back in June, he was training two to three times a day, six days a week to prepare for the games.
“I’m excited. I got my family behind me, all supporting me, teammates excited;
we’re all pushing each other in the gym, so I’m just excited. I’m ready and working hard,” Harvey said when reached that month.
Harvey also has advice for kids with Olympic-sized dreams.
“Always work on your game. Don’t get discouraged by bad days or losses—just try to learn from them,” Harvey says. “Just keep working hard.”
