Sports
Agony for choked-up Max Whitlock as career ends in cruel fashion
Max Whitlock’s magnificent gymnastics career ended with a brutal reminder of how cruel this sport can be.
After being knocked into fourth position in the pommel-horse final, Whitlock found himself so choked up that he could barely speak.
“I’m disappointed,” gasped Whitlock, who had also finished fourth in Monday’s team competition. “I think because it’s so raw, I think it’s quite tricky. It was hard, it was my final one.
“That’s me done in the sport, that’s my last routine. I think it will need a bit more time but I’ve never really reflected on my career. I think if there’s any time to do it, it’s maybe now.”
After back-to-back gold medals on pommel horse in Rio and Tokyo, Whitlock had decided to push through to one more Olympics, partly so that his five-year-old daughter Willow could watch him compete.
It was a bold decision for a gymnast who turned 31 in January – an advanced age in this young person’s sport. But when Whitlock registered 15.266 in the team final – the highest figure of the evening on his favourite apparatus – one wondered whether he might yet pull off an unlikely hat-trick.
That dream proved to be a mirage, however. The team competition had not featured Rhys McCleneghan, the Irish world champion who delivered a note-perfect routine here to score 15.533. Neither did it include Kazakhstan’s Nariman Kurbanov, who opened this final with 15.433 to apply extreme pressure to the remaining seven gymnasts.
Whitlock was next up, and he later insisted that his strategy – which was to pull out his hardest possible routine, studded with his trademark swinging “flare” kicks – hadn’t been influenced by Kurbanov’s score.
“When you’re early up in a tough final, you’re not left many choices,” said Whitlock. “Scott’s plan [his coach Scott Hann] and my plan was ‘Yeah, we’ll go all out,’ and the bit that was the upgrade, [there] was some minor errors. I wish I could go back and do it again but that’s the savage part of our sport. You get one shot and one shot only.”
Swinging his body around the horse in one of the “spindle” movements that supplies the bread and butter of so many pommel routines, Whitlock allowed his legs to split apart. That would have probably cost him 0.3 of a mark and made the difference between second place and fourth.
Already in second place, Whitlock was soon overtaken by the magisterial McClenaghan, and found himself powerless as the dangerous American – Stephen Nedoroscik – removed his glasses in Clark Kent style. Another stunning routine ensued, and Whitlock’s career was done in earnest. He had come away from Paris without a medal, yet his tally of six from previous Olympics still leaves him equal fifth in the table of Britain’s most decorated competitors.
Asked about his family, Whitlock replied “I managed to spot them in the audience. For me, that’s one of the best feelings about making it to Paris – to give that feeling to my family, to come to Paris to see me in my last Games. So I feel proud that I managed to do that.
“I think one of the best feelings is that I’ve inspired people to get involved in the sport,” added Whitlock. “It’s one of the best feelings I get, when parents come up to me or I get comments on social media about [how] they’ve put their child in the sport because of watching me. I think it’s what I do next that’s most important so I’m looking to work at getting more children into gymnastics and really changing the sport for the better.”
Earlier, 22-year-old Jake Jarman had claimed Britain’s first gymnastics medal of these Games when he won bronze with an exceptional floor routine.
“I’m super proud,” said Jarman, who lives with his parents in Peterborough and trains at the same Huntingdon gym that produced four-time Olympic medallist Louis Smith. “It’s definitely a massive achievement. Although I post some crazy videos, historically I’ve not done well on floor in major championships.
“I’ve only got a bronze medal at a European Championships so, to be walking away with an Olympic medal, I feel like I’ve skipped a step. It’s unbelievable.”
Whitlock pushed out of medal in pommel final, as it happened
05:41 PM BST
Whitlock reacts
It is very raw at the moment and I would have loved for it to end in a better way here in Paris. But I do not want anyone to look at the way I am feeling now and think that it is a reflection of my career, I am so proud standing here today.
It was a challenge getting here. I could have quit after Tokyo and I decided to come back. I think giving yourself a good shot, giving yourself the opportunity to go forward rather than quitting out of fear of failure.
I am proud to be here. Of course I would have wanted for it to end better but my decision to come here was not based on the outcome. It was based on just being here at my fourth Olympics and to have that fourth Olympics in my journey.
It is gutting and disappointing, of course it is, but I am proud. I am done now, I am not a gymnast any longer. I have done my final routine and I can be very happy.
05:28 PM BST
Beth Tweddle, London 2012 bronze medallist, reacts
That pommel final was incredible. We knew it was going to be tough but literally every gymnast gave it their all, upping their difficulty and matching it in the execution.
We have seen Rhys McClenaghan grow and become double world champion and now to add Olympic title is huge.
05:19 PM BST
Whitlock finishes 4th, victory for Ireland’s McCleanaghan
Take a bow Rhys McClenaghan. He had to come up with something special and he did. It’s Ireland’s first ever gymnastics medal at an Olympic Games. And redemption after falling at the Tokyo Olympics.
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Rhys McCleanaghan 15.533
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Nariman Kurbanov 15.433
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Stephen Nedoroscik 15.300
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Max Whitlock 15.200
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Oleg Verniaiev 14.966
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Takaaki Sugino 14.933
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Woong Hur 14.300
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Loran de Munck 13.733
05:15 PM BST
Men’s pommel horse: South Korea’s Woong Hur
Hur is our last gymnast of the competition. And he crumbles under the pressure after losing his shape and hitting the horse. Like De Munck earlier, Hur is allowed to finish and he does so in style. But he is distraught at the end of that.
He scores 14.300. He’s in tears but it is joy for Ireland and McCleanaghan.
05:11 PM BST
Men’s pommel horse: Ukraine’s Oleg Verniaiev
Verniaiev suffers a leg wobble at the end of a great routine. That might prove costly for him.
And the judges give him 14.966.
05:09 PM BST
‘It’s a cruel sport’
No medal for Max Whitlock in his final event. It’s a cruel sport! I would never have guessed that he would score 15.200 – equalling the joint-highest score from qualifying – and not take a medal. But the other three in front of him have all been note-perfect and Whitlock, despite an arguably more spectacular routine, did split his legs at the crucial moment.
05:08 PM BST
Men’s pommel horse: Japan’s Takaaki Sugino
To my untrained eye that was brilliant by Sugino. He nailed that. Quick hands, stayed balance, great composure and finished securely.
And he scores 14.933. Which is good enough for fifth place. The quality in this final has been so high.
05:04 PM BST
Men’s pommel horse: USA’s Stephen Nedoroscik
The US pommel champion. Qualified second. He’s opted for a difficult routine that is full of flair and originality. He is nicknamed ‘Superman’ and the American fans in the crowd think he’s produced something special.
And the judges agree, giving him a score of 15.300. That means Whitlock has been bumped down to fourth and out of the medals.
05:00 PM BST
As it stands
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Rhys McCleanaghan 15.533
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Nariman Kurbanov 15.433
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Max Whitlock 15.200
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Loran de Munck 13.733
04:57 PM BST
Men’s pommel horse: Ireland’s Rhys McCleanaghan
McCleanaghan is the world champion and produces a world class display, rising to the occasion. And finishes in style.
He scores 15.533. And is the new leader.
04:54 PM BST
‘Without that single error, he might have won’
A heartfelt hug for Max Whitlock with his coach Scott Hann after the final routine of his glorious career. It was a crowd-pleaser, with those big flares.
But he split his legs apart at one point and it’s not going to be gold. Without that single error, he might have won.
04:53 PM BST
Men’s pommel horse: Netherlands’ Loran de Munck
De Munck starts well but hits the horse and loses control. That’s his hopes of a medal over. He is allowed to finish and receives a warm reaction from the crowd.
He scores 13.733.
04:51 PM BST
Men’s pommel horse: Britain’s Max Whitlock
This is the last routine of Whitlock’s career. He’s gone for a difficult move. A little leg separation. He went all out for it and gave it everything. It is going to be tight.
And the judges give him a score of 15.200. No gold today.
04:46 PM BST
Men’s pommel horse: Kazakhstan’s Nariman Kurbanov
Kurbanov is first off. Great balance and control as he moves around the horse and lands cleanly. Very well done.
She scores 15.433. That’s a medal-contending score. Highest score we’ve seen at the Olympics.
04:43 PM BST
Time for Whitlock
The Briton is bidding for his third gold medal in the pommel horse. He goes second so will have a long wait to know if he’s a medalist.
04:36 PM BST
Biles’ seventh gold medal…
And her 10th Olympic medal overall:
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Rio 2016: Four golds, one bronze.
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Tokyo 2020: One silver, one bronze.
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Paris 2024: Three gold.
04:30 PM BST
Watch: How Biles became the new Olympic vault champion
04:26 PM BST
Final result
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Simone Biles 15.300
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Rebeca Andrade 14.966
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Jade Carey 14.466
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Chang Ok An 14.246
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Valentina Georgieva 13.983
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Elsabeth Black 13.933
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Seojeong Yeo 13.416
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Shallon Olsen 13.366
04:22 PM BST
Biles wins vault final
Gold No 3 for Biles as she cruises to victory. A low key reaction as though it was another day in the office when it was anything but.
A sensational performance by the American.
04:19 PM BST
Women’s vault final: Jade Carey
Nice start by Carey which earns an applause from Biles. One and half twist and a secure landing. She scores 14.733. Another good vault could get her a medal.
Clean effort by Carey and she scores 14.466 to claim bronze.
04:15 PM BST
Women’s vault final: South Korea’s Seojeong Yeo
A slight grimace from Yeo after her knees buckle on landing. That will have hurt her chances. She scores 14.166. The judges have been kind there.
On her second, Yeo struggles on the landing again, ending on her knees. She scores 13.416.
04:10 PM BST
Women’s vault final: Brazil’s Rebeca Andrade
Andrade strikes back. Anything Biles can do, Andrade can do just as well. A superb routine and the crowd feel it. Perfect technique. She scores 15.100.
Two and a half twist, secure landing. The difficult score is 1.0 down on Biles and that proves to be the difference and she finishes on 14.966. She moves into silver position with two more to come.
04:05 PM BST
Women’s vault final: Canada’s Elsabeth Black
Perfect landing by Black. Arguably the best of the event so far. Full twist, good timing, heels together and finishes right down the middle. She scores 14.100.
On her next vault, Black plays it safe, one and a half twist, doesn’t get the landing quite right but it’s OK. And she finishes on 13.933.
04:01 PM BST
‘Quite the thrill to be in the arena’
Quite the thrill to be in the arena for Simone Biles’s double Yurchenko with pike. Difficulty of 6.4 and execution of 15.4. She takes one step back on landing but that was super-clean. And then a Cheng with huge air.
Her coach Laurent Landi punches the air with both fists after both vaults. We’re halfway through the vault final and Biles is ahead of the competition by more than a mark.
03:56 PM BST
Women’s vault final: USA’s Simone Biles
The crowd rises for Biles. Oh wow. That was huge. And she likes it. Beaming smile as she walks away. Incredible speed, two and a half twist and a good landing. She hits the ‘Biles II’ and scores 15.700. That will be tough to beat.
On her second, Biles hits another stunning routine. Smooth as you like. She has laid down a real marker. And she scores 15.300.
03:52 PM BST
Women’s vault final: Canada’s Shallon Olsen
A difficult vault is attempted and unfortunately, she loses a bit of control and lands awkwardly. She scores 14.100 which is decent.
Oh dear. Olsen’s feet buckle and lands on her knees. Her hands slip on the vault which costs her dearly and she scores 13.366.
Time for Biles…
03:46 PM BST
Women’s vault final: North Korea’s Chang Ok An
Chang performs the same routine as Georgieva and lands with ease. She scores 14.066 for it.
On the second she hits a half turn, a straight somersault with a one and half twist. Lands cleanly. She scores 14.216 and becomes the new leader.
03:42 PM BST
Women’s vault final: Bulgaria’s Valentina Georgieva
The action resumes and Georgieva is first up in the women’s vault. The gymnasts have two attempts and the average is taken.
Double twist and a backflip on the first. She scores 14.100. One and a half twist and she aces the landing. Good effort that.
Her final score is 13.983.
03:34 PM BST
Whitehouse reacts
That was probably the best floor final I’ve ever witnessed and going up last as well, I had all the pressure off me. I gave it everything and I really enjoyed it out there.
I just came here trying to enjoy it really. I’m European champion and I knew I was capable today of being the champion here but it wasn’t meant to be.
It’s been such a crazy experience, and I’m still so young, I’ve got many more to come hopefully, and I’ve just enjoyed every single second.
I can see the competition there, I know where I can be and it’s given me a lot of inspiration to go back and keep working.
Did you feel that your score was too low?
I was down on my difficulty score because I landed my second tumble lower than 90 degrees so they take quite a lot of marks off for that so I was way down on difficulty.
03:30 PM BST
Double delight for Yulo
The joy on Yulo’s face is evident as he collects his gold medal. But also Filipino property company Megaworld Corporation vowed to give every gold medalist a new two-bedroom home inside its 50-hectare McKinley Hill township in Taguig City.
Well played sir!
03:21 PM BST
WATCH: The routine that won bronze for Jarman
03:17 PM BST
Final results
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Carlos Edriel Yulo 15.000
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Artem Dolgopyat 14.966
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Jake Jarman 14.933
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Illia Kovtun 14.533
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Milad Karimi 14.500
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Luke Whitehouse 14.466
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Rayderley Zapata 14.333
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Boheng Zhang 13.933
03:11 PM BST
Jarman claims men’s floor bronze
Relief for Jarman as he holds on for a bronze medal. Yulo makes history for the Philippines.
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Carlos Edriel Yulo 15.000
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Artem Dolgopyat 14.966
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Jake Jarman 14.933
03:09 PM BST
Men’s floor final: Britain’s Luke Whitehouse
Final gymnast to go is Whitehouse. A couple of lovely tumbles. Very precise finishes and a triple twist to finish.
An anxious wait. It is 14.466 and that’s only enough for sixth. He can’t believe it and looks distraught. I think that was a very harsh score.
03:08 PM BST
‘A couple of shaky landings there’
Jarman has delivered a really tough routine, lots of triple twists – even a three and a half. Looks like he’s on for a possible bronze. A couple of shaky landings there, especially on the triple-twisting double-back somersault on the opening pass, which probably cost him a tenth of a mark. He’s down on his qualifying score by a tiny fraction: a 30th of a mark.
03:05 PM BST
Men’s floor final: Ukraine’s Illia Kovtun
Kovtun is probably the tallest gymnast in this competition but he shows great grace and showmanship to ends on a secure landing.
The camera cuts to Jarman, who looks worried. His bronze might be in danger.
Kovtun scores 14.533. Britain are guaranteed a medal.
03:01 PM BST
Medal positions as it stands
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Carlos Edriel Yulo 15.000
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Artem Dolgopyat 14.966
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Jake Jarman 14.933
03:00 PM BST
Men’s floor final: Britain’s Jake Jarman
Slight stumble on his first triple twist. He needs to control his landings. I don’t he will be getting gold with this.
3 and a half twist to finish. He walks away and seems to know he didn’t get that quite right.
And the judges give him a score of 14.933. He is in third as it stands.
02:57 PM BST
Men’s floor final: Kazakhstan’s Milad Karimi
Classy routine by a stylish gymnast. This should put him in medal contention. And he scores 14.500 to put him in third.
Next up, GB’s Jarman…
02:54 PM BST
Current standings
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Carlos Edriel Yulo 15.000
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Artem Dolgopyat 14.966
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Rayderley Zapata 14.333
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Boheng Zhang 13.933
02:52 PM BST
Men’s floor final: China’s Boheng Zhang
Yulo’s score has upped the pressure on those to come. Big mistake by Zhang as he lands out of the floor on his first landing.
He is playing catch up now but needs something special to get a medal finish. He shows his flexibility in a splits and in his final tumble he staggers slightly.
He scores 13.933.
02:47 PM BST
Men’s floor final: Philippines’ Carlos Edriel Yulo
Very impressive routine. So secure in his technique. Textbook stuff. He could be close to 15 here.
He scores 15.000 and goes into the lead.
02:45 PM BST
Men’s floor final: Israel’s Artem Dolgopyat
Full twist in a double pike. Shows front control in his landings. He is giving the full show in his 70 seconds.
The world champion ends with a backward finish to big cheers. His score is to come.
14.966. That’s a good score and a statement to the rest of the competitors.
02:44 PM BST
‘A solid opening routine’
We’re underway in the men’s floor final, and Rayderley Zapata of Spain has delivered a solid opening routine. Judging hold-up as there’s a suspicion of a foot out of bounds on the landing of the final double-layout, and he eventually loses a tenth of a mark in a score of 14.333. Britain’s Jake Jarman qualified in first with 14.966.
02:40 PM BST
Men’s floor final: Spain’s Rayderley Zapata
The crowd love his routine and he is very pleased. No mistakes to my eye, clean landings and his score is to come.
There is a tense wait, the crowd start a rhythmic clap and he scores 14.333.
02:26 PM BST
Olympic gymnastics
Hello and welcome to coverage from the gymnastics with Jake Jarman, Luke Whitehouse, Max Whitlock and Simone Biles among the athletes in action.
Jarman and Luke Whitehouse are first up in the men’s floor final and will be looking to bounce back from falling short in men’s all-around final earlier this week.
Jarman said: “It was amazing to be out there in the final group and even though I didn’t medal, it was a great experience.
“It is going to help a tonne for my individual finals. To be able to get out there again and not have to wait for a week will help keep the momentum going and I can’t wait to do it again.”
American sensation Biles then competes in the vault and targeting her third gold medal of the Games. But she faces a tough challenge from Brazil’s Rebeca Andrade, the defending Olympic champion in the event.
Andrade has already edged Biles in a major competition, when Biles fell on her Yurchenko double pike in the vault final at last year’s world championships, losing to Andrade by two-tenths of a point.
That is then followed by Whitlock on the pommel horse. He is the double defending champion and eyeing an historic third straight gold on the apparatus.
He already has a fourth-place finish in the Olympic men’s team final and says he is feeling confident.
“I can take a lot of confidence from that today because that was a big routine – the highest difficulty, the highest risk factor and the highest chance of getting the big score,” said Whitlock.
“I’m pleased with my routine. There’s some errors in there that I can try to clean up, hopefully in time for the pommel final, but I’m happy. There is one routine left to do in my whole career and I’m looking forward to it.”
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