Kieran Behan will represent Ireland at the Olympic Games in Brazil after securing qualification at the Rio Test Event on Saturday night in the HSBC Barra Olympic Arena.
Four years ago he became just the second ever gymnast to represent Ireland at the Olympics in London.
Barry McDonald was the first man to compete in gymnastic events for Ireland at the games when he qualified for the Atlanta Olympics via a wildcard in 1996.
The 26-year-old gymnast is based in the Tolworth Gymnastics club in Surrey, where he is coached by Simon Gale.
Behan will now take part in the Floor apparatus final on Monday with a score of 14.966, he qualified in 4th place.
Speaking of the achievement, Gymnastics Ireland CEO, Ciaran Gallagher said: “In qualifying for the 2016 Rio Olympic Games Kieran Behan has proven once again that he is among the world’s best gymnasts.
“His hard work and dedication in addition to that of his coach Simon Gale throughout this cycle since becoming Ireland's first gymnast to qualify for an Olympic Games in 2012 has been remarkable.
“This Olympic qualification effort is reward also for all those involved in the entire men's programme headed by our Performance & Technical Manager Sally Filmer.
“Results like today's do not just happen, they are strategically planned and rely on the hard work and dedication of the gymnasts.
“Gymnastics Ireland is proud of Kieran's achievement. We now look forward to the Women's competition where Ellis O'Reilly will make history by becoming the first Irish female gymnast to progress to this final stage in the Olympic qualification route.”
