Rhys McClenaghan withdraws from European Championships due to injury

Olympic pommel horse gold medallist Rhys McClenaghan has withdrawn from this month's European Championships in Leipzig due to an unspecified injury. The 25-year-old Newtownards native, who was aiming for a third consecutive European title following his gold medal win in Paris last summer, stated that he tried to push through preparation but decided to prioritize recovery for future competitions. McClenaghan took a break from gymnastics after his Olympic success, during which he also won Ireland’s Dancing with the Stars. He now plans to focus on defending his world title at the World Championships in Indonesia in October. Despite missing the chance to retain his European crown, McClenaghan remains optimistic about his athletic future, emphasizing his commitment to long-term goals.