Max Whitlock could not help but cry and apologise to the BBC as he began tearing up during their interview, following his final pommel horse routine for Team GB.
Whitlock, who was going for his third consecutive gold after wins in Tokyo and Rio, was agonisingly beaten to a bronze medal by American athlete Stephen Nedoroscik as he narrowly missed out on the perfect way to end his legendary Olympics career.
When reacting to his last outing with the Beeb, Whitlock had to momentarily pause their interview as he struggled to get his words out, clearly overcome with emotion.
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“Sorry,” Whitlock said as he propped up his head with his hands after being asked about his daughter watching on in the stands. “It’s the proudest feeling. I have done this sport for 24 years and I have always said that I wanted to have children young so that my child can watch me compete…”
Whitlock continued to sob on camera before apologising once again to the audience, composing himself to add: “I feel very grateful to be a gymnast. I am very, very fortunate to have done a sport that I have loved from seven years old until now, 31 years old, it’s a long time.
“One of the best comments is when I have inspired young children to get into gymnastics. I get the comments all the time throughout here and the Olympic Games about someone getting their child into it because they have watched me, that’s one of the best feelings.
“And now I am done with my competing career, I love the sport and I loved every minute, now I want to change gymnastics for the grassroots and hopefully I can do that, that’s my next mission.”
Whitlock finished fourth, scoring 15.200 in a very competitive field, pipped to bronze by Nedoroscik who scored 15.3000. Ireland’s Rhys McClenaghan bagged a superb gold to huge cheers inside the Bercy Arena with a score of 15.533.
And Whitlock acknowledged that while it was a “gutting” way to end his illustrious career, he was proud to look back on all that he has achieved as Britain’s most decorated gymnast.
“It is very raw at the moment and I would have loved for it to end in a better way here in Paris,” he added. “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.”
