Reigning champion Rhys McClenaghan has spoken of his relief after Northern Ireland gymnasts won their battle to enter next month’s Commonwealth Games in Birmingham.
The three-man team, including reigning pommel champion McClenaghan, had been suspended by the Federation Internationale de Gymnastique (FIG) for being eligible to represent Ireland in international competitions.
But the controversial verdict has now been overturned and McClenaghan told the PA news agency: “It was so hard to understand that I wasn’t able to defend my title at the Commonwealth Games.
“To find out I wasn’t going to be able to do something I’d dreamed of since I was eight was such a strange feeling and I just had to go to practice every day and keep telling myself things were going to change.
“I was so relieved to hear the news today. I’m so much better than I was four years ago, both as an athlete and in executing my routine, and I’m looking forward to achieving an even better result in Birmingham.”
The initial announcement had sparked a storm of protest, with Commonwealth Games Northern Ireland accusing the FIG of acting in “complete disregard” of the Good Friday Agreement.
The FIG appeared unrepentant, suggesting that the Northern Ireland gymnasts faced a tough choice of missing the event or possibly switching to compete for one of the other home nations.
Sport Northern Ireland welcomed the FIG’s decision but said the saga stressed the need to reach an international consensus on the eligibility of its athletes.
Antoinette McKeown, Managing Director of Sport NI, said, “Fairness to all athletes involved was at the heart of this matter and as such we are pleased that this issue has been resolved with a positive outcome for our gymnasts and their sport.
“This issue has highlighted the need for a clear international consensus in relation to Northern Ireland athletes and we will engage in broader conversations to pursue that goal.”
McClenaghan rose to fame when he defeated Olympic gold medalist Max Whitlock in 2018 to win gold on the Gold Coast. The following year he won a bronze medal at the World Championships in Stuttgart with the same device.
UK Government Sport Minister Nigel Huddleston praised the move, adding in a statement: “I am delighted to see that a solution has been found allowing Rhys, Ewan and Eamon to compete and respecting the agreement of Belfast (Good Friday) recognizes.
“I am very grateful to the International Gymnastics Federation (FIG) for working with the athletes, the Commonwealth Games Federation, the Commonwealth Games Northern Ireland and the Government to find an amicable solution.
“Birmingham 2022 will be a fantastic event and we look forward to welcoming all the athletes selected to participate.”