Three-time Olympic gold medallist Max Whitlock has announced a stunning return to competitive gymnastics, declaring he is coming out of retirement to target the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics. The 32-year-old, Britain’s most decorated gymnast in history, had previously stated that the Paris 2024 Olympic Games would mark the end of his illustrious career.
However, after narrowly missing out on a medal in Paris, Whitlock admitted his career felt “unfinished,” prompting a bold decision to extend his competitive journey.
“I’m back,” Whitlock said on The One Show. “It feels unbelievable. I’m officially back, I’m a gymnast again, and that feels crazy. Something was itching away at me constantly for the last year—it doesn’t sit right. It feels unfinished, incomplete.”
Whitlock emphasized his desire to seize the rare opportunity to compete at a fifth Olympic Games, despite the risks involved.
“I feel like I’ve got an opportunity in front of me, and I’ll never get this again. So I’m going back in, a three-year stint. I want to make it to my fifth Olympic Games,” he said.
“I know it’s a dangerous game to play, but I want to finish it on a high. I want to rewrite the end of my career. I would rather take the risk than regret not taking it.”
Whitlock’s Olympic Legacy
Whitlock has long been a dominant figure on the international gymnastics stage. He won pommel horse gold at both Rio 2016 and Tokyo 2020, alongside three bronze medals and a triumph on the floor exercise. He also sought to make history in Paris 2024 by becoming the first gymnast to win medals on the same apparatus at four consecutive Olympic Games, but fell just short.
“I really want to push it further than I ever have before,” Whitlock said, signaling his ambition to finish his career at the very top.
Challenges Ahead
Returning to elite gymnastics at age 32—and aiming to compete at 35—Whitlock faces formidable challenges. He must regain peak physical condition and compete against a new generation of younger gymnasts. His path to the LA 2028 Olympics will involve key competitions, including the English Championships, British Championships, and Commonwealth Games in 2026.
Whitlock admitted that even small setbacks have tested his comeback.
“I had a year out completely, and I’ve come back slowly. The other week I picked up an injury. I wasn’t even doing anything on the pommel horse—I was sitting next to it, looked at my phone, and my neck had gone. Who knows what’s to come.”
Despite these challenges, Whitlock’s return has been met with widespread excitement across the gymnastics community, as fans and fellow athletes alike anticipate the next chapter in his remarkable career.
Looking Forward to LA 2028
Whitlock’s decision to return highlights his relentless dedication and passion for gymnastics. If successful, he will become one of the few athletes to compete in five Olympic Games, solidifying his legacy as one of Britain’s greatest Olympians.
As preparations begin, the gymnastics world will be watching closely, eager to see if Whitlock can overcome injuries, age, and stiff competition to claim further Olympic glory in Los Angeles.
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