Rhys McClenaghan recorded yet another landmark achievement in his career over the weekend, with the Antrim man winning pommel horse gold at the European Championship in Italy. It his third successive triumph in that event.
The 24-year old is already the most decorated Irish gymnast of all-time, boasting two World Championships golds (as well as a bronze) to go along with his achievements at European level. You can also add a gold and silver in the Commonwealth Games to that tally.
McClenaghan is one of the big Irish hopes for a medal at this summer's Olympics, with the gymnast currently considered among the favourites to win the pommel horse. Of course, he entered the games three years ago in similar form only to suffer a heartbreaking slip during the final.
However, he certainly seems to have put that disappointment behind him.
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Rhys McClenaghan calls out BBC Over on-air comments
Rhys McClenaghan has an incredibly positive attitude, although he seems to have been taken aback by the manner in which he has been discussed on the BBC in recent times.
Taking to social media, he expressed his disappointment in the way he had been talked about on the broadcaster (presumably while watching back his performance from the weekend), criticising they way in which they have characterised his attitude during the championships.
Really wish the BBC commentators would stop repeatedly sharing their distaste for me in my early career live on TV. That “brash confidence” you disapprove of is what got me to where I am
— Rhys Mcclenaghan (@McClenaghanRhys) April 29, 2024
Really wish the BBC commentators would stop repeatedly sharing their distaste for me in my early career live on TV.
That “brash confidence” you disapprove of is what got me to where I am.
Any sports fan that has seen Rhys McClenaghan perform will certainly tell you that there is no issue with his attitude, so you can see why those comments might have rubbed him up the wrong way.
He went on to suggest that viewers might be better off watching their broadcaster's gymnastics coverage without the sound on.
I’m surely not the only one who hits mute watching gymnastics on BBC https://t.co/1kDMFkIh4N
— Rhys Mcclenaghan (@McClenaghanRhys) April 29, 2024
While he may question the way his successes have been covered on the BBC, Rhys McClenaghan can be certain that the people of Ireland are fully behind him ahead of his tilt at a first Olympic medal over the coming months.
Getting on the podium in Paris would cap off what has already been a remarkable career for the gymnast. Considering his age, you get the sense that there are plenty of medals still to come.
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