Joy swept across Co Down when Rhys McClenaghan bagged Ireland’s first ever gymnastics gold medal in the Olympics. At the Bercy Arena in Paris, the 25-year-old gymnast performed flawlessly on the pommel horse, while back in his native Newtownards, hordes of supporters eagerly awaited the culmination of his act.
Excited cheers echoed through Origin Gymnastics, McClenaghan’s training ground, as the anticipation mounted with each gymnast finishing their routine and the final scores being tallied up. It was Origin’s senior coach, Conor McGovern, who announced the golden victory, earning a wave of approving cheers from those present, decked out with supporting banners.
In a conversation with RTÉ, a thrilled McClenaghan confessed it felt surreal, saying, “But it’s a dream well earned and I just can’t believe it happened on this day. I always felt like it was going to happen but I wasn’t sure when. Look at this as a beacon of hope that if you have a dream you cherish, chase it and revel in the journey because even if I had fallen today, I would have still cherished every moment. Fortunately, I didn’t, and I now have a gold medal to my name. I anticipated the pommel horse final to be the toughest ever, and it indeed was. Coming out victorious feels incredible. I hope this motivates someone to step into a gymnastics club.”
His triumphant feat secured Northern Ireland’s fourth gold at the Paris games, following previous wins by swimmers Daniel Wiffen and Jack McMillian and rower Hannah Scott.
Simultaneously, political heads took to online platforms to express their joy.
Stormont’s Prime Minister, Michelle O’Neill, expressed her elation on X, applauding Rhys McClenaghan for being the first gymnast from their nation to clinch a gold award at the Olympic games. She lauded Rhys’ impressive career trajectory and extended her hearty congratulations.
Emma Little-Pengelly, the Deputy First Minister, joined in sharing the same sentiment. Both dignitaries collectively acknowledged Rhys’s flawless display of talent, strength, and composure which had rightfully fetched him the gold. They recognized his relentless perseverance and dedication that have shaped his fruitful career thus far.
Taoiseach Simon Harris also conveyed his hearty approval, applauding the new Olympic champion. He praised Rhys’s unwavering determination, precision, and his sterling performance. He underscored that Rhys’s journey to the Olympic medal was truly extraordinary. He went on to express the nation’s pride and noted how much this victory meant to Rhys and his family.
Meanwhile, at Origin Gymnastics, the atmosphere was jubilant, as Mr McGovern, among others, were certain of Rhys’s potential victory. Mr McGovern had staked a small wager on this firm belief of his. He expressed that although no one could predict the outcome with certainty, their confidence in Rhys was unwavering. Mr McGovern reflected on Rhys’s stellar accomplishments and pointed out how he was quickly becoming one of the greatest pommel workers of all time.
The victory sparked increased interest in the club, with more people showing their curiosity about joining. Mr McGovern noted the rising popularity of Rhys and his impact on the community. He spoke highly of Rhys’s persona and his engaging interactions with the people. He expressed their aspiration to reinforce this sense of community and believed they were on the right path in doing so, as evidenced by the cheers for Rhys during the event.
“Our aim is to disseminate the bliss that gymnastics imparts on me, on Rhys, and on our entire staff.” – PA