'It's his life-long dream, he has the qualities to do it'

Rhys McClenaghan is a double world champion on the pommel horse

After being something of a gymnastics prodigy since the age of six, many feel like this is Rhys McClenaghan's time for Olympic glory.

The Newtownards man, who turns 25 on Sunday, heads to the Paris Olympics as the back-to-back world champion on the pommel horse.

He has also been a Commonwealth champion for Northern Ireland and three-time European champion for Ireland.

His reputation has never been higher, and now he goes to Paris as a top medal hope for Team Ireland.

Few people know McClenaghan as well as Eamon Montgomery, his training partner and friend.

Three years his junior, Montgomery has known McClenaghan since he took up the sport at nine years of age and says even then you could "single him out" amongst his peers.

"When I first started gymnastics, he would have been a few years older than me. I remember watching him and seeing him do skills that I wanted to do," Montgomery said.

"There were maybe five or six people in his group and you could single him out as being one of the more talented ones.

"He understood it the best even at that age nobody is anything special and it's about fun and enjoyment. We still are really."

He may only be 25 on the eve of the Olympics, but McClenaghan has been in this position before.

The Newtownards gymnast travelled to the delayed Tokyo Olympics in 2021 as Commonwealth and European champion, but a mistake in his final routine led him to finishing outside the medal places.

It was heartbreaking for a competitor who expects the best from himself.

In that situation, the response is almost make or break for an athlete's career trajectory.

That's what makes McClenaghan so impressive.

He could have let it get to him, but a year after his Olympic disappointment, he not only became world champion in Liverpool, but doubled up by the retaining that title in 2023.

"I remember before he went to Tokyo how good he looked. Everything was looking perfect for him," Montgomery added.

"The final didn't go that well but seeing him bounce back in the next year and become world champion in 2022, he just kept getting better and better."

McClenaghan, with his coach Luke Carson, after finishing seventh in the pommel horse final at the delayed Tokyo 2020 Olympics

After he won his historic gold medal at the 2018 Commonwealth Games in Australia at the stage of 18, McClenaghan's mum, Tracy, spoke about the hours spent in the car travelling to sessions after school.

Montgomery says both Tracy and Danny, his father, have been "very supportive" and really believe in their son as he looks to fulfil his ultimate goal.

"I think most parents would believe in their son, but they just know how focused he is and they let him do his thing.

"Let him do his thing and then support him through it. Especially in the younger years in school, it was crazy.

"Doing your homework in the car, eating your dinner in the car on the way to training, and then sleeping on the way home. There are a lot of sacrifices trying to balance things."

'It sparked a bit of fun in him'

McClenaghan's long-time coach is Luke Carson, who used to compete before he became his coach in 2014.

Training in the same gym as McClenaghan and Carson, Montgomery witnesses their relationship first hand and says "there is a really good coach-gymnast dynamic" and the pair are good friends.

"There is no hierarchy, they both talk to each other and there isn't a one-sided approach to anything.

"They both talk it out about the best way to do something.

"Luke knows the sport and knows it is one of the hardest there is. He has a lot of advice and a lot of stories. It definitely helps."

Rhys McClenaghan and Eamon Montgomery have become good friends as well as training partners

And Carson is not the only calming presence in McClenaghan's corner.

His friendship with Montgomery has always been there, but the pair bonded when they were living and training together in Dublin.

When it's just the athlete and apparatus, gymnastics can be a lonely sport.

"When he was in Dublin training by himself all the time. He had Luke with him but it was lonely, so when I came down I think it sparked a bit more fun in him.

"You really need a training partner. It's really good to have a laugh with or talk to. I think he really appreciated that."

Everyone can see the "laser focus" that McClenaghan applies to his craft, but what's he like away from the apparatus?

"He's funny and we're funny together, constantly making jokes.

"We have some crazy jokes that go on for three or four years. We just keep repeating them over and over again.

"He's good fun to be around. I'm always trying to make him laugh in the most serious of places."

Olympic title 'would be even sweeter'

McClenaghan and Montgomery made history together at the World Cup in 2022 when they won pommel and floor gold respectively.

The first double Irish gold medals were celebrated in the arena for gymnastics at the Olympics in Paris.

"When we won those two gold medals, Rhys said it was history. I didn't expect it, it seemed like he was the guy always making history and then it both of us for once."

While Montgomery says the familiar setting could be beneficial, the competitors' sole focus is on their apparatus and not the surroundings.

A lot has been made of his 'rivalry' with Great Britain's Max Whitlock, but ultimately it is McClenaghan who will make the difference as he bids for glory.

"For him, it's those few metres squared he is standing, he doesn't notice anything except that," observed Montgomery.

"You can definitely feel the energy in the arena, but once you salute you are just zoned out completely."

McClenaghan and Montgomery made history together with a double gold medal in 2022 at Bercy Arena, the venue for the Paris Olympics

Montgomery added that McClenaghan is a student of the sport and that has helped him elevate his own abilities with relentless dedication.

"It's built into him and he will go and go and go. After training he will watch countless videos on gymnastics, on pommel and just doing certain things.

"Just studying gymnastics, that is one of the things that will help you get to where you want to be.

"He doesn't seem too overwhelmed. He takes things as they are and handles them. "

After three years of relentless hard work and grind, it now all comes down to this.

"He definitely knows he can do it. He has the qualities to," said Montgomery.

"It would mean the same as world championship medals, he wants to be the best in the world, but it would be even sweeter if it was the Olympic title."