McClenaghan Claims Gold as Whitlock Falls Short in Final Event.

Multi Sports Paris 2024 Olympics

Posted 2 months ago

McClenaghan Claims Gold as Whitlock Falls Short in Final Event.

Rhys McClenaghan secured Olympic pommel horse gold for Ireland, while Team GB's Max Whitlock finished off the podium in his final competition before retiring.

World champion Rhys McClenaghan from Northern Ireland scored 15.533 to win Olympic pommel horse gold, narrowly beating Kazakhstan's Nariman Kurbanov (15.433) and American Stephen Nedoroscik (15.300).

Defending champion Max Whitlock, aiming to be the first gymnast to medal on the same apparatus at four consecutive Games, finished fourth, just 0.100 points shy of the podium.

McClenaghan, 25, who was the top qualifier, delivered an even stronger performance in the final, earning a third gold for Team Ireland at Paris 2024 in front of a lively crowd at Bercy Arena.

Reflecting on his win, McClenaghan said, 'Seeing the score after my routine and knowing I set a personal best was overwhelming. I'm incredibly proud to make the Irish fans and my country proud.'

Whitlock, competing early in the final, watched as others surpassed his score on the leaderboard.