RHYS MCCLENAGHAN HAS claimed gold for Ireland at the Paris Olympics after winning his pommel horse final.
McClenaghan’s routine was awarded a career-best score of 15.533 by the judges.
The two-time world champion from Co. Down is Ireland’s third gold medallist of these Paris games after swimmer Daniel Wiffen and rowing team Paul O’Donovan and Fintan McCarthy.
McClenaghan’s success in this gymnastics final yielded Ireland’s 14th ever Olympic gold medal and saw him become Ireland’s first ever Olympic medallist in his sport.
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
— RTÉ Sport (@RTEsport) August 3, 2024
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McClenaghan was the fourth gymnast to perform his routine in Saturday’s final and overtook then-leader Nariman Kurbanov, whose score of 15.433 was enough for the Kazakh to take silver.
American Stephen Nedoroscik, who earned the joint highest score of the heats alongside McClenaghan, took bronze with 15.300.
Back-to-back Olympic champion Max Whitlock of Great Britain finished outside the medal spots in fourth with a score of 15.200.
McClenaghan’s score of 15.533 was a personal best and proved unassailable in what had been billed as one of the most hotly contested finals of the entire Olympic Games.
The Newtownards native increased the difficulty of his routine to 6.6 and earned an 8.9 for his execution, the highest of any of the eight finalists.
McClenaghan, 25, broke into tears as he was presented with his Olympic gold medal.
It’s greatest ever Olympics. Delighted for the lad after Tokyo
Irelands 3rd gold , not second !!! Well done to all
Unbelievable. What an athlete. Delighted for him. He’s had a journey.
Amazing from Rhys. What a games so far. 12th on medal table now.
@Kevin Dillon: 1 gold medal behind Germany after a week of the games!
@munsterman: should had more but for boxing officals
So happy for Rhys, wanted it so much. So well deserved, absolutely unreal, the difficulty must be off the charts.
Congratulations.
@Michael Kennedy: highest score ever, in the Olympic final, wow!!!!
I know nothing about this sport and yet found myself willing every twist and turn he did. Unbelievable achievement. It’s been some Olympics so far for Ireland. The greatest ever perhaps? To think we didn’t even have a 50 metre swimming pool or centre of excellence a few years ago. Not to mention how close to medals so many others were. Huge success.
@anthony davoren: I could hardly watch it especially after seeing some of the other competitors not doing well.
@Bert Carolan: im the same to nervous
Wow fantastic amazing but so nervous best olympics ever rr
Phenomenal performance
@Cathal Scully: Equally phenomenal interview with RTE afterwards, this young man is an exemplar.
Great performance from Rhys, you could see on his face when he landed that he felt he had it.
Get in!!!!!! Treat yourself to a glass or 2 of something special tonight folks!
@cian nolan: or weed
Stupendous. Well done to the young fellow, nerves of steel. And so happy to him after Tokyo 3 years ago. He’s been on some mission since then.
Fantastic. Had to be under so much pressure after last Olympics. Made no secret that he was only going to be happy with gold.
@Bert Carolan: That’s the most impressive thing for me. The pressure on him was massive. There are plenty talented athletes out there but what makes the difference between the best and rest is Consistency and ability to perform under pressure.
No sign of Ray Ridge I see. Some things will never change. He’s probably over slating the cyclists true to his form
@anthony davoren: I’d say he’s gutted Rhys won!
@anthony davoren: Be positive for the gold medal, never mind anything else.
3 gold medals already for Ireland, with hopefully more to come
20 years ago we got no medals.
We’re living in rare times
Truly outstanding
Yes, it goes without saying. Of course I’m delighted. Looked flawless routine to the untrained eye.
@Ray Ridge well i never fair play
@Sean: I always call it as I see. A spades a spade with me. Some people don’t like that.
@Ray Ridge: Ur first positive comment ever. Congrats
@Gary Galligan: Rhys is from Northern Ireland also BTW.
@Ray Ridge: Give up will you
Many congratulations Rhys. You worked so hard for this brilliant actually
Well done Rhys
Will Ray be happy?
@SYaxJ2Ts: he is hiding now as predicted
@Sean: in his mom’s basement