McClenaghan 2.0 a 'work in progress' heading to Glasgow

Olympic gold medallist Rhys McClenaghan is braced for a busy summer with the Commonwealth Games and European Championships on the horizon.

He knows it is a fortunate position to be in after spending 2025 watching pommel horse events from home following shoulder surgery.

Now, back fully fit, McClenaghan is ready to show off a new routine in Glasgow that he is hoping to perfect by the time the 2028 Olympics in LA roll around.

Entering a new phase of his career that he has dubbed "Rhys 2.0", the Newtownards native is relishing the chance to go again, but is drawing on all his previous experiences to move forward.

"The Commonwealth Games is a good chance to show your work in progress. At the Olympic Games you want to see your finished product," he told BBC Sport NI.

"It's going to be a work in progress but hopefully one that is the best in the world too. I'm in a really good position with it.

"Part of me is striving be like a younger Rhys but the reality is I'm doing a completely new routine and the rule changes have pushed me into that direction, that's the Rhys 2.0 there.

"It's what separates the really good gymnasts from the great. If you can win titles throughout multiple Olympic cycles you have mastered that event. I feel like I'm doing that nicely now."

After his enforced spell on the sidelines, which brought a lot of time for reflecting, McClenaghan feels grateful to back competing fit and healthy again and enjoying his sport.

"A lot of people thought I would take a step away from gymnastics after the Olympics, take a year out and do nothing, but I really wanted to get back into competing straight away, win a fourth European title and my third World title in a row. That was the goal for 2025 but that shoulder injury bothered me too much," he explained.

"The silver lining to that was I could really process my career and the success of the Paris Olympics. It's a big thing having one goal your entire life, then it's achieved at the age of 25, it takes a lot of mental processing. Although I was frustrated at being injured it left a lot of time for thinking.

"You only realise when you get the Olympic gold medal you weren't doing it just for the medal. The injury made me grateful that I'm able to do gymnastics."

Having become the first gymnast to complete a career Grand Slam, McClenaghan has a relentless desire to keep going and is now focused on enhancing his legacy.

"I've achieved every major title there is in the sport and I love looking at my potential and I feel if I stopped after winning the Olympic Games, my potential would have been wasted. I'm still healthy and able to be the best in the world at what I do."