Rhys McClenaghan Achieves Dream Victory with Historic Pommel Horse Gold
McClenaghan Makes History as Emotions Run High A deep breath before stepping onto the top step of the Olympic podium marked the realization of Rhys McClenaghan’s lifelong dream. “It sounds amazing. It sounds like a dream come true,” McClenaghan said. “It still feels like a dream. But it’s a lifetime of work culminating into one little moment, and this little moment is what you are seeing right now.”
In stark contrast to the excitement surrounding Simone Biles’ gold medal in the women’s vault just half an hour earlier, the atmosphere was serene as the gymnasts prepared for the pommel horse event. McClenaghan, having qualified in first place, appeared laser-focused as he awaited his turn.
Initially, the final was expected to be a showdown between McClenaghan and Team GB’s Max Whitlock. However, Kazakhstan’s Nariman Kurbanov set an early benchmark with a score of 15.433. Whitlock, competing immediately after Kurbanov, was unable to surpass that score, marking a poignant end to his Olympic career.
Just before McClenaghan’s routine, Loran de Munck made a critical mistake, which McClenaghan watched unfold as he mentally rehearsed his own performance. Reflecting on his Tokyo 2020 experience, where a mistake had cost him a medal, McClenaghan was determined to avoid repeating that error.
In Paris, McClenaghan delivered a flawless performance. As he dismounted, his coach and friend, Luke Carson, watched with his head in his hands, knowing the outcome if McClenaghan landed cleanly. The crowd erupted when McClenaghan nailed his landing, and he celebrated with a triumphant roar before embracing Carson, who has been his coach since he was 14.
The predominant emotion for McClenaghan was “relief” after completing “the most difficult routine I could do.” His score of 15.533 confirmed his victory, although he faced a tense wait as American competitor Stephen Nedoroscik still had to perform. Nedoroscik delivered a strong routine but finished in third place.
When the final competitor, Hur Woong, fell off the pommel horse, McClenaghan’s victory was secured. “I was saying to Stephen that this is the best pommel horse final ever in the history of men’s gymnastics,” McClenaghan remarked. “To be a part of that is absolutely incredible. Any of the eight finalists could have taken gold today.”
Rhys McClenaghan Proudly Completes Gymnastics Grand Slam with Olympic Gold
Rhys McClenaghan has achieved a historic milestone in gymnastics, completing what is considered the sport’s Grand Slam by securing World, European, Commonwealth, and Olympic gold medals.
Reflecting on his achievement, McClenaghan said, “When I looked around the arena after my pommel routine and saw that I had scored a personal best, the emotions were through the roof. I was incredibly proud to make all the Irish fans here proud and create history for the country.”
Despite the immense pressure and high expectations, McClenaghan’s resilience shone through. The emotional weight of his victory was evident as he stood on the podium, receiving his gold medal. He joins the ranks of Northern Ireland’s gold medalists in what has been a remarkable Olympics. Before these Games, Northern Ireland had produced only three gold medalists, and now there have been four from Paris alone.
McClenaghan is Ireland’s third gold medalist of the Games, solidifying his status as one of the sport’s greats. The arena erupted in celebration as Cranberries’ “Zombie” played, with supporters staying on to witness the historic moment.
“I’m proud of myself for delivering under the immense pressure,” McClenaghan noted. “I was the double world champion coming into this, and I could have been Ireland’s first ever gymnastics medalist. I delivered under that pressure, and those are the emotions you are seeing. I had done my job regardless of all the pressure on my shoulders.”
