A devastated Harry Garside said he felt “like a failure” having spent just nine minutes in the Paris boxing ring before losing his first-round fight.
Garside, the Tokyo 2020 Bronze medallist, was defeated by Hungary’s Richard Kovacs by unanimous decision in the 63.5kg division.
The 27-year-old had given up a professional career to return to the amateur Olympic competition.
“It is crazy … two decades dedicated to one dream and it is over just like that,” he said to Channel 9.
“I feel pretty numb right now but I am sure that in the next month or two it will be quite a challenge. I fear for my mind gets the better of me, I feel like I’ve let myself down, and let a few people down but what do you do?
“Australia is such a sporting nation and I’m so sorry. Honestly, I feel like a failure right now … I don’t even know what to say.”
In a post later to his social media, Garside said “life is good” and thanked everyone for their support.
“I’m grateful I always choose to put myself in the arena. The sun comes up tomorrow and life goes on. 2 decades definitely weren’t for nothing,” he said.
“Thank you so much to everyone supporting. Geez I’m proud to be Australian 🇦🇺🇦🇺🖤.”
Garside showed promising signs in the first round, having defeated his opponent 3-2 by the five judges.
The second and third rounds were then awarded to Kovacs both 5-0, sending Garside and the hopes of a Australian first Gold medal home.