Rhys McClenaghan: I watch BBC’s gymnastics coverage on mute

Rhys McClenaghan with his gold medal in Rimini

Keith Bailie

World champion gymnast Rhys McClenaghan has hit out at the BBC’s coverage of the Gymnastics European Championships in Rimini.

On Friday night, the Newtownards man produced a sublime routine to win his third European gold on the pommel horse.

However, the 24 year-old took exception to the BBC’s reflections on his career.

He Tweeted: “Really wish the BBC commentators would stop repeatedly sharing their distaste for me in my early career live on TV. The ‘brash confidence’ you disapprove of is what me to where I am.”

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McClenaghan is set to go head-to-head with Team GB superstar Max Whitlock at the Paris Olympics this July.

In a second message, he said: “I’m surely not the only one who hits mute watching gymnastics on BBC.”

On Friday evening, McClenaghan scored 15.300 to win his third European title in an already glittering career that has also seen him two World titles and one Commonwealth Games gold.

After the gold-medal winning routine, he said: “I’m feeling good, it was a good routine, although there were a few mistakes in there – whether you could see it or not – so we still need to polish up those details.

“I deal with the pressure well because I put myself under immense pressure in training every day, so when it comes to the real thing, I’m used to it and I feel ready.

“I’m glad I’m dedicated enough to this graft that I know I have to put myself under pressure under controlled circumstances.”