EUROPEAN CHAMPION Rhys McClenaghan has taken to social media to voice his frustration about BBC commentators.
McClenaghan secured his third European gold medal as he defended his pommel horse title last week.
However, the 24-year-old isn’t happy with the way he is being portrayed by commentators on BBC.
McClenaghan posted: “Really wish the BBC commentators would stop repeatedly sharing their distaste for me in my early career live on TV.
“That ‘brash confidence’ you disapprove of is what got me to where I am.”
The young star was met with plenty of love and support as fans filled his comment section with positive messages.
One fan wrote: “Rhys – ignore them! You keep doing what you are doing. You are an exceptional young sportsman doing the country proud.”
Another commented: “Rhys you are an inspiration to many young people involved in sport! Keep doing you.”
A third added: “Top athletes need ‘brash confidence’ – otherwise they choke….Go Rhys.”
McClenaghan then made an additional comment to show his frustration towards the commentators.
He added: “I’m surely not the only one who hits mute watching gymnastics on BBC.”
The athlete was again met with agreement from his fans.
McClenaghan performed a stunning final routine on Friday night that earned him a winning score of 15.300 in Italy.
Dutchman Loran De Munck finished in second while Cypriot Marios Georgiou took home a surprise bronze medal.
McClenaghan completed the final routine with a 6.5 difficulty and was awarded 8.8 in execution.
His dismount was just as impressive as he rounded off the routine with zero penalties.
This win earned McClenaghan his third European gold medal after taking home the glory in Antalya last year and also in 2018.
The Irishman told European Gymnastics afterwards: “I’m feeling good. It was a good performance we put in today.
“We still need to polish up on some of the mistakes in that routine. Whether you could see it or not, there were some minute details that the judges picked up on.
“I can’t wait to even go back into the warm-up hall now, think about it, practice it and improve even more on that score.
“I really think I deal with the pressure well because I practice it every day in training.
“Every day in training practicing a routine is a competition for me. I put myself under immense pressure every day, so when it comes to a competition like this when it is the real thing, the medal gong around your neck, I’m used to it.
“I’m used to performing a routine under that pressure.
“I’m glad that I’m dedicated enough to this craft enough to know to pressurise myself under controlled circumstances now.”