Max Whitlock is back. The three-time Olympic champion retired after Paris 2024 but made a shock return at the end of last year, telling Sky Sports: "It's incredible to be back. It feels amazing to be able to say that I'm a gymnast again." The Briton will be 35 at Los Angeles 2028 but wants to take his signature pommel horse routine "further than I've ever pushed it".

Whitlock burst onto the scene at London 2012 with bronze medals in the team and pommel horse, before winning two golds in Rio 2016 on the floor and pommel horse. He defended his pommel horse title at Tokyo 2020 but finished fourth at Paris 2024, missing out on a medal. The 33-year-old admits missing that medal was "a lot tougher" than expected and his career "didn't finish in the right way".

"I couldn't fight the feeling that something was just constantly itching out of me," he explained. "Fast forward 20 years, would I regret not coming back?" There was "zero persuasion" needed from family - his wife and daughter Willow are "mega excited" about his return. He's already competed internationally in his comeback, with "some good bits, some but not so good bits, but loads to work on." The Commonwealth Games and World Championships are next, with LA 2028 as his ultimate goal. "I will be done after LA, I will be finished!"