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'No excuse': Aussie Olympic hero caught in Covid breach scandal

Australian Olympic medallist Harry Garside has been fined by Victoria Police, after the 24-year-old admitted to hosting 10 people at his home, despite Melbourne's lockdown. Pictures: Getty Images/Channel 7
Australian Olympic medallist Harry Garside has been fined by Victoria Police, after the 24-year-old admitted to hosting 10 people at his home, despite Melbourne's lockdown. Pictures: Getty Images/Channel 7

Australian boxer Harry Garside has run afoul of coronavirus restrictions in Melbourne just days after completing hotel quarantine, following his Tokyo Olympics bronze medal effort.

Garside became the first Australian to win a medal in boxing since Grahame ‘Spike’ Cheney in 1988, earning himself plenty of fans along the way with his personality and determination.

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However, the 24-year-old made an error in judgement after arriving in Melbourne last Friday.

Garside was reportedly one of five people to be fined over a gathering in Melbourne's outer eastern suburbs, which took place soon after his arrival in Victoria.

Channel 7 reported that it was actually Garside who hosted the party, with the bronze medallist reporting the gathering to Victoria Police on Saturday after pictures of the group together were posted on social media.

Garside apologised for the incident in a statement issued to Channel 7, saying he was 'so sorry' for breaking the rules.

“I haven’t seen my friends in six months and selfishly had 10 people at my house last night,” he said.

“I know that it was the wrong thing to do and there is no excuse.”

A Victoria Police spokeswoman said the attendees would cop a heavy fine for their actions.

“All attendees will be interviewed and issued with a $5452 infringement notice for breaching chief health officer directions,” she said.

Harry Garside's classy act on flight home from Olympics

The Aussie boxer won the hearts of supporters across the country with a brilliant display in Tokyo that culminated in Australia's first Olympic boxing medal in 33 years.

Garside had no answer to the class of eventual champion Andy Cruz of Cuba, but the Aussie's sportsmanship and humility in defeat saw him celebrated like a champion regardless.

Despite the defeat via a unanimous points decision, Garside became just the fifth Australian to win an Olympic boxing medal and first since Grahame 'Spike' Cheney claimed silver in Seoul in 1988.

After the fight, the Aussie was all class in defeat, congratulating his opponent and holding the rope for the Cuban as he left the ring.

The Aussie admitted he'd been beaten by the better fighter and was praised for a classy post-fight interview by his new legion of fans.

Harry Garside won the hearts of Australian sporting fans after winning bronze in the boxing at the Tokyo Olympics. (Photo by Buda Mendes/Getty Images)
Harry Garside won the hearts of Australian sporting fans after winning bronze in the boxing at the Tokyo Olympics. (Photo by Buda Mendes/Getty Images) (Getty Images)

The Olympics may be over but Garside continues to kick goals, with his incredible act on the flight home from Tokyo another chapter in his incredible story.

Garside struggled to contain his excitement after posting a video on Instagram about what would have been his first time flying business class.

“First time ever, cmonnnnsi," he captioned a photo of the business class ticket from Japan to Australia.

In a touching display of generosity, he later revealed that he gave the ticket to his coach Kevin Smith - sharing another photo of himself sitting up the back with other members of the Australian team.

“The question on everyone’s mind coach is how was business class?” Garside asked his coach in an Instagram video.

Smith chuckled before responding: “I don’t remember much about it, because pretty much as soon as my head hit the pillow, I was away.”

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