No medal, but Irish gymnast Rhys McClenaghan wins plaudits after ‘class’ interview
Sport

No medal, but Irish gymnast Rhys McClenaghan wins plaudits after ‘class’ interview

RHYS McCLENAGHAN vowed to come back “a way better gymnast and a way better man” after disappointment in Tokyo this morning.

And while Ireland’s first Olympic gymnastic finalist may have missed out on a medal, he won praise for his dignified and determined response to defeat.

Speaking to RTÉ Sport after an early dismount in the Men’s Pommel Horse Final derailed his hopes, McClenaghan vowed to “turn a negative into a positive” and use his disappointment as motivation.

“I’ve enjoyed the journey and that’s a victory for me,” he told the broadcaster.

“This is definitely not the end of the journey by any means.”

Despite lamenting the fine margins that saw him finish seventh, he added: “I’ll come back a way better gymnast and a way better man.”

The 22-year-old from Co. Down went on to praise the support of his family and friends and the sacrifices made by his coach.

The maturity and honesty of his interview impressed viewers, winning praise from Taoiseach Micheál Martin and Irish comedian Dara Ó Briain, with many others describing the gymnast's response as ‘class’.