As Newtownards gymnast Rhys McClenaghan prepares to compete for gold at the Paris Olympics on Saturday, his mum has said she is “not surprised” that her son qualified for the pommel horse final, crediting his “hard work and commitment” to the sporting event as factors in his success so far.
The Ireland athlete qualified for the final with an impressive routine at the Bercy Arena, and this weekend he will hope to bag the only gold medal missing from his collection.
The 25-year-old posted the joint-highest score (15.200) during the qualifiers alongside American Stephen Nedoroscik, although McClenaghan is ranked number one on account of his higher execution score.
McClenaghan’s strong routine scored a difficulty of 6.300 and execution of 8.900.
His mother, Tracy, told the Belfast Telegraph that the family are “so excited” to watch him perform.
“We were over last week, and we are heading over again, but we didn’t really see him these past three weeks as he was preparing for the competition, apart from in Saturday’s qualifier,” she said.
“I can’t wait to give him a big hug after the final.
“It’s always so strange looking down and seeing him in the arena. It doesn’t feel real, but we are getting used to it.”
The proud parent added that the family “aren’t overly surprised” by Rhys reaching the final.
“Because he’s a double world champion I suppose we aren’t surprised he made it through,” she said.
“But sport can be unpredictable, that’s for sure. But he has proved himself to be one of, or if not the, best pommel worker in the world, so we’re excited it’s all come together for him. Just one more routine and then we hope to be celebrating with him.
“He is more than capable of it,” she added.
“He has always aimed for gold and this weekend will be no different.”
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Tracy counts Rhys’ “hard work” for the reason behind his confidence.
“He’s not superstitious and doesn’t rely on luck or any of that,” she explained.
“He works hard and puts in the repetition for routines. He goes there [to Paris] as well prepared as he can be.
“That’s what gives him the confidence to be able to do what he does. There’s no lucky pair of socks or anything like that. It’s hard work.”
The reigning world and European champion first made his name by topping the podium for Northern Ireland at the Gold Coast Commonwealth Games in 2018.
The Co Down mum told this newspaper that, in the run-up to any competition, Rhys is “super focused and dedicated” on everything from his diet to his exercise routine.
“Everything is geared towards that competition,” she said.
“From what he eats and puts in his body to his exercise routine and meditation, everything is geared towards that goal of the Olympics. But he has been very relaxed and happy going into this, so we couldn’t ask for more.
“When he was doing gymnastics when he was younger, I kept saying to him that enjoyment was so important. And he loved every minute of it. He loved training.
“He still loves it — walking into the gym, the travelling, the competitions — and I’m not sure you could do it if you didn’t,” she added.
“It’s very full on, but we do know he is very excited about getting a pizza after the final, because he hasn’t had junk food in such a long time.”
The Team Ireland star suffered at the previous Olympics Games in Tokyo — where he went into the men’s pommel horse final as one of the medal favourites — after catching a finger on the pommel’s handle and falling off the horse, resulting in a seventh-place finish.
Reflecting on that day in Japan three years ago, McClenaghan said: “It was an experience that was needed, obviously, and I’m down here in front of you, a two-time world champion, and that just kind of shows I come back from disappointments and I’m just enjoying being here — a two-time Olympian, a two-time Olympic finalist.”
The world and European champion believes that his rigorous training regime under the watchful eye of coach Luke Carson is the secret to his success.
The pommel horse final takes place at 4.16pm on Saturday.