\n<\/p>\n
Three years ago, a mistake in the final left McClenaghan seventh, but since then he has barely put a hand wrong on an unforgiving apparatus where strength, co-ordination and control are key.<\/p>\n
“I knew it was possible. I knew it was possible back in Tokyo as well but it didn’t happen,” he said.<\/p>\n
“This was the comeback I needed and it happened.”<\/p>\n
He is a two-time pommel horse world champion, a three-time European gold medallist and a Commonwealth Games winner. <\/p>\n
Now he has completed the ultimate medal set – a sort of gymnastic ‘Grand Slam’ – with Olympic gold.<\/p>\n
Before these Games, it had been 36 years since an athlete from Northern Ireland had won a gold medal. <\/p>\n
But after swimming wins for Daniel Wiffen and Jack McMillan and Hannah Scott’s victory as part of the GB rowing team, it is now four at one Olympics. <\/p>\n
With this medal barely around his neck, McClenaghan was already planning how to work towards his next.<\/p>\n
“There’s always room for improvement. I want to go back into the gym right now and work on the improvements but my coach won’t let me probably,” he said.<\/p>\n
“That’s OK. I think he’s right in this situation, we need to celebrate our Olympic title.”<\/p>\n<\/div>\n