Rhys McClenaghan: Olympic champion ‘all in’ for 2026 after ‘year of physical pain’
For McClenaghan, having the surgery this year hopefully paves the way for an uninterrupted two-year build-up to the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.
“It was a thought that crossed my mind when I opted to get the surgery.
“We’ve got the time now. We’d rather miss out on 2025 as opposed to push through an injury that will haunt me until 2028. You need to think big picture sometimes.”
He added: “In terms of my gymnastics, I’m going to take it competition by competition, really work hard and assess how I’ve been competing and performing.”
One of the athletes hoping to deny McClenaghan a second Olympic crown will be Great Britain’s three-time gold medallist Max Whitlock, who has come out of retirement after stepping away from the sport following the Paris Games.
“I don’t blame him because I spent a bit of time away from gymnastics with my injury and I missed it,” said McClenaghan.
“I don’t blame him for stepping away and being like ‘you know what, this is actually a pretty awesome job, I don’t want to stop this’. Fair play to him and I look forward to seeing him in the next pommel final, hopefully.”
Regardless of the opposition, McClenaghan is determined to win another gold.
“The ultimate goal, similar to the Paris Olympics where it was my most difficult routine, is to peak at that right time, on the day when it matters.
“That’s certainly the goal for the LA Olympics, to piece together this puzzle of a routine and hopefully produce a world’s best again.”