Which is ridiculous because gymnastics is an almost solely international sport. However, where I do think Morinari Watanabe and co.'s poor understaning of international relations in part of the blame, politics is clearly playing much bigger part. The CWG are in England this year, the biggest gymnast on the British Isles is Max Whitlock, his best event is the pommel horse and later this year the World Championships are set to be held in Liverpool...So even though as Brit myself I'll absolutely be supporting Max, there's far too many dots that can be connected in this outcome. But most of all this a complete and utter mockery of sport--banning one of the top competitors two months before a competition on a cheap technicality that is only being applied to one discipline out of an entire multisport event...If this is how things are going to be the FIG needs a new president next election because this isn't even justifiable.

As a person from Ulster, it makes a lot of sense. 'Choose who you want to represent and stick with it' is a common idea across the sporting world. If it is 'a slam to the unification efforts' then that's a bonus. Most of us see ourselves as British and are happy to remain so and have no interest in adopting the nationality of a foreign state.

@@Alan_Mac there's nothing wrong with representing Northern Ireland as well as another 'country' whether be Great Britain, Ireland or anywhere else for that matter. This is the case for most athletes and frankly should be the right of any athlete to represent somewhere they belong.

@@viewer.123 This is utter nonsense. Given the number of athletes who have competed internationally only a tiny fraction have represented two countries so to say 'this is the case for most athletes' is to take fact and turn it on its head. The Federation Internationale de Gymnastique was absolutely right to ban McClenaghan from the Commonwealth Games. I have no problem with him competing for Eire - that is his prerogative. However, when a competition comes around that Eire does not participate in then tough shit. He made his decision and should stick with it. Just like the overwhelming majority of athletes in the history of international sport have done. That this decision has been reversed is wrong and renders 'competing for your country' meaningless.

This isn't the whole picture. The Olympic Federation of Ireland sees itself as a whole-island body so competitors from anywhere in Ireland can compete under that flag. However, athletes from NI can also choose to compete for the United Kingdom instead and be represented by the British Olympic Association. There is no conflict. Either compete for 'Ireland' or for GB. It's the choice of the competitor.

Oh! Wouldn't it be something if Rhys shows up at the arena, prepared to compete, awaiting last minute decision if the "powers" still don't overturn their latest decision before the Games? The media coverage! The controversy! The drama!

the republic of Ireland is not part of the commonwealth, but as you probably know, history between Ireland and England is complicated...

@@felimuller909 Oh right, I didn't realize it wasn't part of the Commonwealth. That's really unfortunate for Rhys and the other affected athletes then. It's such an unfair decision in that case though, the commonwealth games are all about letting athletes represent their specific nations instead of falling under the UK or GB umbrella :(

I don’t believe they can as it’s only commonwealth nations that compete. It’s a totally stupid decision by FIG who clearly don’t understand NI.

Why don't you research the subject?

@@marknewbold2583 coz not really interested as it is just sport. And if I were interested I would, and have done a lot of research on news, or based on truth docudramas. So your insult. Failed. And you have made yourself look very silly.

It’s just the gymnasts since FIG clearly don’t understand the NI situation.

Northern Ireland is part of the United Kingdom, along with England, Scotland, and Wales; therefore, Northern Irish athletes deserve to be at the Commonwealth Games as much as the English ones do.

Neither are the other 71 nations of the Commonwealth so should they not send athletes either.