Rio 2016: Gymnast Louis Smith happy to play second fiddle to top dog Max Whitlock
London 2012 silver medallist has seen Whitlock overtake him as Team GB's main man
LOUIS SMITH insists he is strictly happy not to be the main man anymore.
Smith clinched Olympic pommel silver at London 2012 - Britain's highest achievement in the sport - then won the nation’s hearts and a disco-ball trophy on Strictly Come Dancing.
But despite just missing out on gold and helping Britain to a first ever team medal in London the men’s captain then let it be known that he had no intention of returning for Rio.
Eighteen months later he changed his mind causing consternation in the national camp.
In that period of semi-retirement team-mate Max Whitlock - who had once looked up to him and as a teenager finished third in London - overtook Smith to be crowned Britain’s first male world champion in gymnastics.
But Smith, who also won bronze in Beijing, insists: "Rio will definitely be less stressful than London. I am no longer the top dog – Max Whitlock is carrying that burden now which is nice. The team is now pushing for team medals whereas before it was kind of just me, especially in Beijing.
"There was a lot of pressure for London but going from London to Rio, I feel petty chilled out.
There’s always going to be expectation but I feel like I can deal with that a lot better. It isn’t a home games, there isn’t a zillion sponsors or lots of attention.
"It's pretty low-key compared to what London was like. So I think it will be a chance to enjoy this one a bit better. I’m a bit more self aware and chilled out and so I’m looking forward to it."
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Rio will undoubtedly be the 27-year-old’s last chance at becoming Olympic champion with both Smith and Whitlock opening their campaigns Saturday.
But Smith, who has had a well-documented battle with depression, said: "It's just amazing to be back at an Olympics. I took a long break out of the sport and it’s been tough.
"Not just getting back physically but gaining the trust of the British gymnastic people who select the teams as well as fitting back in to the team because I was seen as an outsider for so long.
"I was treading on toes trying to get back in to the team - I’m coming in and taking the spot of someone else on the team who has been working hard while I was out of the sport. So there was a little bit of animosity there, which has meant I’ve had to keep quiet whereas I’m usually very opinionated.
"I’ve tried to let my results speak for themselves the last two years and now I’ve got back in to a position where I’m an equal, which is really nice."
Smith was the first British man since 1928 to win and Olympic medal when he won bronze in Beijing in 2008.
He said: "Doing my third Olympics is an incredible feeling. Nothing ever comes close to what it’s like to compete in the Olympics. The World and European championships are scary but it’s a buzz. The Olympic games are just terrifying!
"It’s the pinnacle. There’s not bigger competition for a gymnast. They come round once every four years and it separates the boys from the men. You go there, you turn up and you showcase to the world not only your talent but how hard you’ve been crafting it and it’s about who can perform on a world stage – it’s the ultimate gladiatorial match. I still pinch myself because of where I’ve come from."
Team GB gymnast Louis Smith is an ambassador for Kellogg’s Great Starts Olympic sponsorship campaign. Kellogg's are shining a spotlight on the morning routine, encouraging the British public to get off to a great start every day. Visit to see Louis’ tips on how to get off to a great start.