Behind every Olympic champion is an army of supporters, each a small cog in the wheel that drives success.
For Rhys McClenaghan, one of those who played, in his own words “only a very small part” in helping the Newtownards gymnast fulfil his dream of standing at the top of the Olympic podium was Northern Ireland actor James Nesbitt.
And he admitted there was a “small tear in the eye” as he watched the 25-year-old bring years of preparation together in less than a minute of action to secure pommel horse gold on Saturday afternoon.
The pair first met around six year sago at a function held by the Mary Peters Trust, and it was Lady Mary herself who whispered in James’s ear “he’s the future, help him out”.
“I’d been trying to help out some young sports stars with sponsorship through our production company G&H Films,“ James said.
“I can remember Lady Mary coming over to me and pointing out an impressive young man and over the next few years we’ve become good friends.
“I think at that stage he’d just been to the Commonwealth Games, but I was immediately struck by the way he carried himself, the confidence, the determination and the focus he had. Here was a young man who had a goal and only had eyes for it.”
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James, who founded the company alongside friend and Bangor man Maurice Brown, said he was only too happy to lend his financial support for one of his partner’s north Down neighbours.
“I helped that Maurice was from the same area, “ said James. “It was quickly agreed that we’d like to help Rhys, even if it was only in a very small way.”
Through his company, James was a sponsor of Rhys for three years,
“We haven’t been involved this year,” James added, but to play even a tiny role in helping Rhys get on the ladder, raise his profile and go on to achieve everything he’s achieved in his career so far is why we wanted to help in any way we could in the first place.
“It’s been a pleasure and a privilege to have been involved with Rhys, to get to know him and to be constantly impressed with his attitude towards his sport,” he added.
“I saw that immediately after what happened in the Tokyo Olympics three years ago.
“He always had an unnerving determination to be a champion and that’s exactly what he’s become.”
James watched Rhys’s crowning moment from Marbella and admitted he was in awe at the level of performance and achievement the Newtownards gymnast had delivered.
“I got a text from Sir Alex Ferguson just after Rhys won that gold,” he said. “I said ‘that’s attitude’. That’s something Sir Alex always had great faith in. It’s not arrogance, it’s belief, sacrifice and a rare quality, humanity. Rhys has had that throughout his career and it was a pleasure to be on board with someone who has become a good friend throughout his journey to becoming World Champion and now Olympic Champion.
“He’s a fantastic example to all young people, a real shining light for everyone on the island of Ireland.
“I sent him a text not long after he won that gold medal,” James added. “Years of work = tears of joy. Well done I am so proud of you like the whole island’.
“It summed him up that, within a few minutes on the greatest night of his life, he replied ‘Thank you for everything Jimmy. See you soon,’ then added picture of him with that medal.
Gold medallist Ryhs McClenaghan has a special message for actor and supporter James Nesbitt
“I’m sure Lady Mary Peters had a tear in her eye watching him receive that gold medal,” James added.
“She had spotted the potential in Rhys a good few years ago and was determined to see her trust help him along his path.”
Twenty-seven athletes from across the island of Ireland competing at the summer games have received backing from the Mary Peters Trust
“She’s an incredibly persuasive woman,” said James. “And her magic worked on me when it came to Rhys!”
“But there’s an awful lot of people who need to be doing the work in the background to help athletes like Rhys achieve their success.”
Rhys’s gold medal came after similar success for Magharalin swimmer Daniel Wiffen, Belfast swimmer Jack McMillan and rower Hannah Scott from James’s home town of Coleraine, and all can expect a hero’s welcome when they return from the Paris games
“NI is smashing it at these Olympics,” James added. “And no matter what colour they’re wearing, isn’t it great to see!
“It is nice to have been a small pebble in the wall of success, but really, more than anything, I’m just a proud fan who couldn’t be more delighted after seeing the years of sacrifice Rhys has put into getting to exactly where he wants to be, and now he’ll be an Olympic champion forever.”