Heading into this afternoon's Olympic men's pommel horse final, everyone in Ireland knew that Rhys McClenaghan was capable of winning gold. Of course, the events in Tokyo three years ago meant that we would not be taking anything for granted.
McClenaghan has been the best pommel horse performer in the world over the last few years, winning two world and two European golds since the last Olympics. That made him the favourite in Paris, although we saw in the last games how quickly things can change in this event.
Thankfully, there was to be no such drama on this occasion.
The Irishman would produce a remarkable performance, blowing the competition away with a stunning routine that powered him to the gold medal.
Paris 2024: Rhys McClenaghan completes his pommel horse routine and he looks to be happy with how he's done. The judges are too! He scores 15.533 and is in the gold medal position.#RTESport #Paris2024
📺 Watch https://t.co/XnOP6grnB7
📱Updates https://t.co/7oDcUYslbX pic.twitter.com/ndA3MfkNbp— RTÉ Sport (@RTEsport) August 3, 2024
In the end, he more than deserved the honour of winning Ireland's first ever Olympic gymnastics medal.
READ HERE: Rhys McClenaghan's Mam In Tears As 'Sacrifices' Pay Off With Olympic Gold
Rhys McClenaghan Words After Tokyo Ring True After Paris Triumph
Rhys McClenaghan cut an emotional figure after his routine, while he also shed a few tears after finally getting his hands on the gold medal that he has spent his entire life working towards.
He had returned to his calm and collected self by the time his television interview rolled around, but it was still clear just how much this achievement meant to him.
Three years ago, at just 22-years old, Rhys McClenaghan suffered the ultimate heartbreak on the Olympic stage. It would have been easy to be overcome after that disappointment, but even in the direct aftermath of events, displayed a remarkable amount of insight into what had occurred.
Looking back knowing what we do now, it's amazing to see just how much of what he said actually came to fruition.
Rhys McClenaghan says "it didn't go my way" after his seventh-place finish in the #olympics pommel horse final but vows that "this is not the end of the journey".#tokyo2020 #RTESport #gymnastics
📱 Report – https://t.co/UeKOLRD5eX pic.twitter.com/w6EQoeVnUz— RTÉ Sport (@RTEsport) August 1, 2021
I know that I'll feel disappointment with this performance but that's OK.
I feel like that when I do feel disappointment, that's when I'm more motivated than ever, more hungry than ever. I'm definitely the type of person to turn a negative into positive. That's exactly what I'm going to do.
I'm going to leave this arena with this incredible experience: Becoming an Olympian, becoming the first Irish gymnast to be an Olympic finalist. That's something that is very special to me. That's my achievement that I've made here at these Olympic Games.
I will be more hungry. This is a very early chapter in my gymnastics career...
I've enjoyed the journey, and that's a victory for me. It's definitely not the end of the journey by any means.
My finger got caught under the handle. It throws off your whole momentum - what can you do?
I know that I'll adjust, that I'll fix that, and come back a way better gymnast, a way better man.
What a competitor.
While everyone supporting him here in Ireland might have been worried about the effect his mishap in Tokyo would have on him, Rhys McClenaghan was never going to let it hold him back.
Now, his Olympic gold medal will have banished those demons once and for all.
SEE ALSO: Rhys McClenaghan Sends Remarkable Message To People Of Ireland After Historic Olympic Gold
