Rhys McClenaghan
Gymnastics
BIOGRAPHY
Rhys McClenaghan became Ireland’s first gymnastic medalist at the Olympic Games when he won the gold medal in the final of the Men’s Pommel at Paris 2024.
He started gymnastics aged six with Rathgael GC with his breakthrough coming in 2018 when he won Commonwealth and European gold on the pommel horse, beating the reigning Olympic champion Matt Whitlock on both occasions.
In 2019 while still in his teens, he became the first Irish gymnast to win a medal at World Championships (bronze).
In 2021 he became the first Irish gymnast to make an Olympic final. He was joint second highest qualifier (15.266) in pommel but a fall proved costly in the final where he finished seventh on a score of 13:100.
In 2022 he won silver at the Commonwealth Games which he followed with back-to-back World titles (Liverpool, Nov ’22 & Antwerp Oct ’23) and back-to-back European titles (Antalya April 2o23 & Rimini April 2o24), bringing his tally of major international medals to eight (six gold, one silver and two bronze).
GYMASTICS NEWS
Olympic Champion Rhys McClenaghan Inspires Students on Return to His Old School
Olympic Champion and Dare to Believe ambassador Rhys McClenaghan revisits his school Olympic Champion on the pommel horse (gymnastics), Rhys McClenaghan, returned to his former school this week, bringing with him not only his Olympic gold medal but also an inspiring message of resilience and perseverance. As an ambassador for the Dare to Believe Olympic [...]
School Honours McClenaghan and McKibbon with Commemorative Olympic Plaques
Olympians Rhys McClenaghan and Peter McKibbon have been honoured by their former secondary school with commemorative plaques. McClenaghan, who won gold in the men’s Pommel Horse at Paris 2024, and McKibbon, a member of Ireland’s men’s hockey team in Paris, both attended Regent House School in Newtownards as teenagers. It has recognised their Olympic achievements [...]
Nominations For RTE Sportsperson of the Year
Next Sunday evening, December 15th at 9:30 pm, the RTÉ Sport Awards 2024 will air live on RTÉ One and the RTÉ Player. Hosted by Joanne Cantwell, Darragh Maloney, and Jacqui Hurley from Studio 4 in RTÉ, the event will celebrate Irish sporting excellence in front of an audience filled with the nation’s top athletes. [...]
Day 8 – Team Ireland Paris 2024
Team Ireland’s Gymnastics superstar Rhys McClenaghan has won an Olympic gold medal in the Pommel Horse final this evening, with a magnificent score of 15.533, becoming the first Irish gymnast to ever win an Olympic medal. Cyclist Ben Healy secured Ireland’s best ever result in an Olympic road race with a brilliant 10th place finish this afternoon. Team [...]
TEAM IRELAND TO FEATURE IN TEN SPORTS ON OPENING DAY OF PARIS 2024
Day one of Paris 2024 is set to be a bumper one for Team Ireland as athletes from no less than ten sports will get their Olympic campaigns underway; Eventing (Dressage), Hockey, Swimming, Rowing, Canoe Slalom, Road Cycling, Boxing, Badminton, Gymnastics, and the Men’s Rugby Sevens team return to the pitch. Equestrian The Irish [...]
Official Selection For Paris 2024 | Gymnastics
Rhys McClenaghan set to become two-time Olympian in the Men’s Pommel in Paris 2024 05 June 2024 The Olympic Federation of Ireland has officially selected Rhys McClenaghan to compete in the Men’s Pommel at the Olympic Games in Paris this summer. Ireland’s premier gymnast made his Olympic debut in Tokyo, and in Paris his competition [...]