Pommel horse coup de grâce awaits for Rhys McClenaghan

Not too many empty seats in the Bercy Arena for the evening session of the gymnastics. And in one corner the colour green stood out. Irish rugby jerseys on tour again. And in the corner above them, a tricolour.

They were here to see one man.

Rhys McClenaghan, three years on from the disappointment of Tokyo, is desperate to get that Olympic medal. He's won it all: world medals and European medals. A score of 15.2 saw him shoot to top of the rankings in qualifying for the pommel horse final alongside the USA's Stephen Nedoroscik. Behind them is Max Whitlock, and Rhys knows all about Max.

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Watch McClenaghan's routine

Nedoroscik was in action in the morning session. "He's one to watch", said RTÉ commentator Gerry Kelly, and he was more assured of that assessment after the American finished his routine.

Milton Erickson was a famous psychiatrist who specialised in studying body language. If he were alive today, he would have noted that McClenaghan showed some worried signs on his face as he entered the arena. And that, considering the misfortune that befell him in Tokyo, perhaps was no surprise. Paris 2024, no doubt, is all consuming for the Newtownards native - whether he likes to admit it or not.

He has said he wants to be the best there has ever been on the pommel horse. Another Ulster competitor, who we'll see in the pool later this week - Daniel Wiffen - recently told RTÉ Sport that he has one of the best mentalities in sport.

Ulster determination; Ulster confidence -