\n<\/p>\n
For McClenaghan, having the surgery this year hopefully paves the way for an uninterrupted two-year build-up to the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics. <\/p>\n
“It was a thought that crossed my mind when I opted to get the surgery.<\/p>\n
“We’ve got the time now. We’d rather miss out on 2025 as opposed to push through an injury that will haunt me until 2028. You need to think big picture sometimes.” <\/p>\n
He added: “In terms of my gymnastics, I’m going to take it competition by competition, really work hard and assess how I’ve been competing and performing.” <\/p>\n
One of the athletes hoping to deny McClenaghan a second Olympic crown will be Great Britain’s three-time gold medallist Max Whitlock, who has come out of retirement after stepping away from the sport following the Paris Games.<\/p>\n
“I don’t blame him because I spent a bit of time away from gymnastics with my injury and I missed it,” said McClenaghan. <\/p>\n
“I don’t blame him for stepping away and being like ‘you know what, this is actually a pretty awesome job, I don’t want to stop this’. Fair play to him and I look forward to seeing him in the next pommel final, hopefully.”<\/p>\n
Regardless of the opposition, McClenaghan is determined to win another gold.<\/p>\n
“The ultimate goal, similar to the Paris Olympics where it was my most difficult routine, is to peak at that right time, on the day when it matters.<\/p>\n
“That’s certainly the goal for the LA Olympics, to piece together this puzzle of a routine and hopefully produce a world’s best again.”<\/p>\n<\/div>\n