Olympics-Gymnastics-Mutual admiration society for 'pommel horse brothers'
PARIS - The contest to decide the best pommel horse specialist at the Paris Olympics was among the fiercest on the scoreboard but the rivalry was surpassed by the mutual admiration the medallists expressed when all was done and dusted.
Rhys McClenaghan, who was the victor and won Ireland their first gymnastics medal on Saturday, said that either of his fellow medallists or the five other finalists could have won the title.
"What an amazing final to be a part of," he said, seated between silver medallist Nariman Kurbanov of Kazakhstan and American bronze finisher Stephen Nedoroscik at a press conference.
"I was saying to Stephen that this is the best pommel horse final that's ever happened, in my eyes, ever, like in the history of men's gymnastics. So to be a part of that is absolutely incredible."
Only one-tenth of a point separated McClenaghan from Kurbanov, while Nedoroscik trailed by another 0.133 point.
The camaraderie was also on display during the competition at the Bercy Arena, McClenaghan pulled Nedoroscik in for a hug after the American finished his routine, and was seen at times clapping and shouting words of encouragement to his competitors.
Nedoroscik said he knew he wouldn't beat McClenaghan's "huge" score of 15.533 when he saw it on the board following his own routine.
"I was like, I don't think I've done enough but wow, that is amazing for Rhys," the bespectacled Massachusetts native said, smiling broadly.
McClenaghan returned the compliment.
"I was nervous watching you because you can do any routine and you can do huge difficulty and pull it off when it matters."
Motioning to his fellow medallists, he continued: "I've seen this guy, and seen this guy, and studied their gymnastics over and over again and I was nervous watching Stephen for sure but I'm happy to see these two pommel horse brothers sitting beside me right now."
McClenaghan and Nedoroscik, both 25, said they talked immediately about a re-match in Los Angeles in 2028.
"We were saying, first of all, LA, baby, let's go, run it back!" the gold medallist said.
"Also love the amount of kudos he's getting for the team final result," he said of Nedoroscik, who became an internet sensation overnight this week after his final pommel horse routine helped end the U.S. men's team medal drought.
His thick glasses and seemingly impossible feats on his speciality apparatus have drawn comparisons with Clark Kent as Superman, lighting up social media with "pommel horse guy" memes.
"I love watching it and I absolutely love that everyone's is finding out about Stephen Nedoroscik," McClenaghan said.
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