Following his Olympic Gold win, gymnast Rhys McClenaghan said the “only thing left to do is to do it again”. 

The Down native made history yesterday as the first Irish person to win a medal in gymnastics. 

The Pommel Horse winner told The Anton Savage Show the victory hasn’t set in yet. 

“Maybe it will take a few years, but it’s pretty special to hear it,” he said. 

He said yesterday’s competition in Paris “honestly felt like any other competition”. 

“Of course, the nerves are there but they’re always going to be there.” 

Rhys McClenaghan of Team Ireland competing in the men's pommel final, 03/08/2024. Image: PA Images/Alamy

Still, Mr McClenaghan said it was “the best Pommel Horse” competition that there’s ever been in gymnastics. 

“To be part of that, let alone to come on top is an honour,” he said. 

“It’s hours and hours of work – every single day is working towards this Olympic Gold medal. 

Mr McClenaghan previously competed in the Tokyo 2020 Olympics, where he came in seventh place in the Men’s Pommel Horse final. 

He said the years since Tokyo have been focused on major improvements. 

“Everything I did every day was contributing towards getting better at gymnastics,” he said. 

Silver medalist Nariman Kurbanov of Team Kazakhstan, Gold medalist Rhys McClenaghan of Team Ireland, and Bronze medalist Stephen Nedoroscik of Team United States pose for a selfie. Image: Craig Mercer / Alamy Stock Photo

Discussing his future gymnastics career, Mr McClenaghan said he plans to focus on his current win for now. 

“This is it now – I've completed the trophy cabinet,” he said. 

“The only thing left to do now is to do it again. 

“That prospect excites me - but what excites me more is just the fact I just get to do this as my job. 

“I love gymnastics and I want to do it for as long as I can.” 

Mr McClenaghan also praised his fellow teammates who have won their own medals, including swimmer Daniel Wiffen and boxer Kellie Harrington.

"We feel like a proper team out here and maybe that contributes to the overall success of the game," he said.

"We're creating history out here."

He won two gold medals for pommel horse in the 2022 and 2023 World Championships.  

The Down native also won gold at three European Championships.  

This is Ireland’s 14th gold medal in the history of the modern Olympics and the fifth medal in Paris.