Excitement at McClenaghan's gym as gymnast wins gold

Joanna and Samantha with their sons Zach and Carter

For fans of Rhys McClenaghan, watching him win gold at the gym where he trains in Newtownards is something they'll "never forget".

The gymnast won in the men's pommel horse for Team Ireland  at the Olympic Games  in Paris on Saturday.

Carter, who learns gymnastics at the gym, says Rhys performed "a hundred percent, a thousand percent, good, great".

His mother Samantha said it "means everything" to see Rhys doing so well.

"The boys are so proud of him," she said.

"He's such an inspiration to all the kids here."

Mum Joanna said she never doubted that Rhys would win.

"His performance was just unreal," she said.

Joanna said the children loved seeing Rhys win from the gym they learn in.

"To be here in this environment, actually watching what had happened was just so lovely," she added.

"It's probably something we'll never forget."

'Brilliant to see'

Teacher Ruth said Rhys was always "talented" even at school

Rhys was fourth to perform his routine in the men's pommel horse final.

The Team Ireland gymnast was flawless as his score of 15.533 edged Kazakhstan's Nariman Kurbanov by just 0.100.

Ruth Dalzell's daughter learns gymnastics at the gym so was "really excited" to see Rhys compete.

Jemimah is able to "see Rhys here in the gym" so sees him as a "role model" and "someone to look up to."

Ruth also taught Rhys and said he was "really lovely" and always driven.

She said he was he had "always been so talented at gymnastics".

"Even at school he was winning lots of competitions," she said.

Winning gold is the first ever by a gymnast for Team Ireland.

Ruth said she has followed his career for "such a long time" so "it's brilliant to see".

"It's really lovely to see him do so well," she added.

'So proud of you'

Coach Conor said everyone at the gym "always believed" in Rhys

McClenaghan becomes the fourth athlete from Northern Ireland to win a gold medal at the 2024 Olympics.

The 25-year-old joins swimmer Daniel Wiffen and GB's Hannah Scott in converting their world titles into Olympic gold.

Conor McGovern is one of the coaches at the gym and has been away at competitions with Rhys.

Conor said getting a gold medal "speaks as testament" to the "hard work" Rhys "puts in every single day".

"It's a complete relief for him," he said.

"I know this is something he's wanted his entire life and to see him get it, which he richly deserves, just means so much to all of us here.

"It means so much to the community here in Newtownards. It means so much to the country of Northern Ireland and the country of Ireland."

Conor said seeing Rhys win "intoxicating" for "every single person" watching at the gym.

"Rhys has had an impact on every single person here. He has had conversations with every single gymnast that comes through the door. He's talked to all the parents," he said,

"I don't know many other athletes that have such a profound effect on their clubs, on their country."

Conor said his advice to Rhys before the competition was to "enjoy himself" because "Olympic finals don't come around everyday".

His said everyone at the gym "always believed" in Rhys.

"I'm so proud of you," he added.