Olympic redemption: Ireland's gymnast Rhys McClenaghan climbs back to be champion

Ireland's Rhys McClenaghan's Olympic gold at the gymnastics pommel horse event in Paris is redemption for his Tokyo disappointment three years ago. 

A momentary lapse of concentration saw the Newtownards man fall from the horse and out of contention for a medal at the last Games.

He arrived in Paris, a three-time European and two-time world champion, ready to set the record straight.

He told CGTN Europe his Olympic gold is the culmination of years of dedication.

"A lifetime of work paying off in one little moment. That's a very powerful thing to have happened to you," said McClenaghan. "I don't think the human brain is meant to comprehend something like that fully."

'Even the very best can fall'

He remains philosophical about the fall in Tokyo. China's Su Weide fell twice from the high bars during the team competition in Paris. 

"It's the nature of gymnastics. Even the very best can fall, and fall multiple times," McClenaghan added. "We all know it's a possibility. It's just about who can hold their nerve in that moment and not make those big errors."

He will return to Newtownards, a town in County Down, Northern Ireland, with his gold and every intention of using his own success to inspire future generations.

"My hometown has never seen an Olympic medal before. This is going to be super special, bringing back a gold one. I hope to use it in the most responsible manner possible," said the Olympian.

"In my mind, that's to inspire a younger generation. But then also everybody in that town and everybody in the country, hopefully, will be inspired to just work hard."

Mutual respect

Gymnastics is an event that captures even the casual viewer's imagination at the Olympics. 

"Everybody from across the world in gymnastics, including the Chinese, we all have this mutual respect for each other," McClenaghan said highlighting the unity gymnasts share. "We all know how difficult it is just to get to the Olympic Games so when we see each other, it's a pleasure and we congratulate each other. 

"We welcome each other into the village, into the gymnastics halls and it's been a very nice experience shared with the other gymnasts."

McClenaghan held up his gold medal, showing its beauty up close, confirming it is just as heavy as one would expect it to be.

It's no surprise he had to take it off to sleep the night after his victory as it was too heavy.

He intends to be back at the Olympics in LA in 2028, hoping to try his hand at other Gymnastic events as well as the pommel horse.

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