Max Whitlock breaks down in tears talking about daughter after Olympics heartbreak in last-ever outing
Max Whitlock was left in tears during an emotional interview at the Paris Olympics.
The gymnastic legend was competing in his last-ever gymnastic event before retiring from the sport that he has dominated for so many years.
Unfortunately, his final outing at the Olympics ended in heartache after missing out on a medal in the pommel horse final.
With his five-year-old son Willow watching on in the crowd, Whitlock got emotional when asked what it was like to have him watching on.
Tearing up and putting his hands on his head, Whitlock said: "Sorry."
Composing himself, he said: “It’s the proudest feeling.
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"I’ve done this sport for 24 years and I’ve always said for a very long time that I want to have children young so that my child can watch me compete.
“Sorry – for god’s sake," Whitlock said as the emotional of the occasion took over.
Speaking to talkSPORT he added: “It’s tricky because it’s so raw.
“It’s hard to explain. It was a challenge getting to Paris but I’m proud to be here and the emotion right now is disappointment but above all of that, I’m proud to be at by fourth Olympic games and proud to have made this my last one.
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“When I made the decision before this it wasn’t based on any outcome, it was just based on being here.
“It didn’t end in the way I’d have loved it to but I can be proud of what I’ve done.”
He added: “I’m gutted with my routine.
“There’s loads of bits that I could have done better but overall I’ve got to be pleased with my performance.
“I’m now not a gymnast anymore and that feels surreal.”
An impressive score of 15.200 put Whitlock into a silver medal position, teeing him up for a celebratory last outing.
However Irish star Rhys McClenaghan and Stephen Nedoroscik of the United States put in stunning displays to push him out of the medal positions.
Whitlock bows out of the sport as a true Team GB legend, having won six Olympic medals in his career.
As well as two bronze medals at London 2012, Whitlock secured another bronze at Rio 2016.
That was joined by two gold medals in Brazil in the floor exercise and pommel horse finals, before defending his pommel horse title in Tokyo three years ago.
While his hopes of winning a third-straight pommel horse gold in Paris fell away, Whitlock's legacy in the sport will continue for many years.
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