Rhys McClenaghan reveals ‘unfortunate' injury that impacts 2025 plans as Olympic hero vows ‘path to being GOAT is clear'
RHYS McCLENAGHAN will miss the European Championships through injury.
The Newtownards man, 25, was due to make his competitive return in Leipzig at the end of this month.
1
Olympic gold medallist Rhys McClenaghan will miss the European Championships
Credit: Ramsey Cardy/Sportsfile
He took a break from sport after winning a pommel horse gold medal at the Paris Olympics last summer.
But he revealed on Instagram that an unspecified injury will delay his return and the Irishman will instead focus on the World Championships in Indonesia in October.
The
"I won't be competing at this year's European Championships.
Read More on Rhys McClenaghan
"I tried my best to push through preparation but an injury kept holding me back.
"I chose to prioritise being healthy and recovering for future competitions this year and be sure that I can put out my best work yet.
"I may not be retaining my European title but the path to being the GOAT is still very clear."
While he took a step back from gymnastics in the wake of the Olympics, McClenaghan remained active in a different avenue.
Most read in Other Sports
He made a sensational debut on RTE's Dancing With The Stars earlier this year,
In a nailbiting final, Rhys and Laura
Rhys McClenaghan honoured with massive homecoming on return to Newtownards after Paris 2024 Olympic gold medal victory
Although the final vote was determined by both judges' scores and the public vote, some viewers took to social media to express their disappointment that their favourites did not win.
And
The Olympian told RSVP: "That's always going to be the case with social media, isn't it? It is incredible what those guys did, and everyone should be very proud of themselves. I know if I didn't win the glitterball I would still be proud of myself.
"The standard was so high, it was an incredible season, everyone raised the bar. It could have been anyone who lifted the glitterball trophy."
The 25-year-old was frequently compared online to his fellow Olympian and series competitor, Jack Woolley; however, Rhys revealed there was no competition between the two.
He explained: "We had a mutual respect for each other because we understood the journey we were going on. I said congratulations to him, of course, and all of the other finalists."
Outside of
The gold medal winner revealed that he and his girlfriend recently bought a house and are currently renovating it, adding: "We'll be moving into it soon. It's the first time we'll be living together so it's a really exciting time in both of our lives.
"I'm really looking forward to spending as much time with her as possible and starting a new chapter of our lives together."
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