Lt Cdr Micky Norford brings his boxing expertise to the Olympics

The Olympic Games represent the pinnacle of sports, not only for the athletes who dedicate years to compete for their country but also for the officials who oversee the 32 sports at this year's event. Among them is Lt Cdr Micky Norford RN, who has demonstrated exceptional skill and commitment.

After a distinguished 37-year naval career, during which he became the UK Armed Forces Boxing Champion, Micky took a temporary break from his role as Ships Facilities Manager to lend his boxing expertise to the Paris Olympics. A veteran official from the Tokyo Games and a key member of the organising team for the boxing events at the London 2012 Games, Paris marks his third engagement with the Greatest Show on Earth.

Micky developed his technical skills as an official in the UK Armed Forces and has since shared his knowledge with the civilian boxing community, serving as a Director for England and GB Boxing. He holds the distinction of being the highest-qualified amateur boxing technical official in the country and is the only English official to have managed a major international tournament in over 30 years, having been appointed as the Technical Delegate for the boxing competition at the 2022 Commonwealth Games.

At the Paris Games, he served as the Deputy to the Technical Delegate, responsible for ensuring that all activities in and around the ring adhered to the rules of Olympic boxing. Inside the ring, he monitored for any irregularities, ensuring that neither boxer gained an unfair advantage through illegal practices. Outside the ring, he ensured that officials and support staff performed their duties to the highest standards.

Micky remarked, 'Being part of the Olympics is undoubtedly a dream for every athlete at any level, though only a select few ever achieve it. As an international official for over 20 years, and having reached the highest level as an international referee, I can attest that getting to the Games as an official is equally challenging. You need to be at the top of your game, have a thorough understanding of the rules, and, crucially, apply them fairly and consistently. My years of service with the Ministry of Defence, both in the navy and as a civil servant, have been invaluable in fulfilling my Olympic responsibilities impartially.

'The Ministry of Defence and the Armed Forces have been incredibly supportive of me and all those involved in elite-level sports, not just athletes but also elite officials. I firmly believe that high-level sports provide genuine role models and add significant value to the organisation or unit.'