HORSEPOWER: Louis lands another Olympic silver

Max Whitlock ended Great Britain’s 120-year wait for gymnastics gold at the Rio Olympics on Sunday but both he and his coach were quick to thank Louis Smith for making it all possible.

Whitlock won that historic gold on the floor then proceeded to double his tally two hours later when pipping Team GB colleague Smith in the pommel horse final.

British gymnastics had suffered an 80-year medal drought between the women’ s team bronze won in 1928 and Smith’ s bronze on the pommel in Beijing in 2008.

Now its expectations have changed to the extent that last week’s fourth place in the men’s team event was considered a disappointment.

And Whitlock’ s coach Scott Hann was in no doubt who was repsonsible for the revival.

He credited Smith, who won his first Olympic medal when Whitlock was 15 yearsold, with instilling a belief in British gymnasts that they can succeed on the world stage.

Hann said: “Louis brought belief to the sport with that first medal. When Louis started getting big international medals that just gave us the belief and determination that we could go out and do the same.

“The revival has been down to a lot of things - coaches and funding - and of course success breeds success. And Louis sowed the first seed there.”

Whitlock, who already boasted a bronze medal from the all-around final last week, added: “Louis has been an absolute credit to British gymnastics and I have a lot to thank him for.”

Smith was looking to go one better than the silver he won at London 2012 after losing out in agonising fashion to Hungarian Krisztian Berki.

And he admitted the tears that greeted the realisation that his team-mate had forced him to settle for silver again were due both to disappointment and pride.

“I got so many messages asking why I was in the team because I’ m not as good as Max and I only do pommel, so to go through that routine and get a medal was special,” said Smith (27) from Eye.

“I am disappointed, but I would rather lose to Max than anyone else. Max held his nerve and I am quite good at eating humble pie. Max deserved it today.

“After this we are definitely going to have a few drinks-it is a long time since I have tasted alcohol.”