GYMNASTICS: A judge holds a flag aloft and Clare's William Loughnane raises his arm in acknowledgement. This is his time.
Ten years training under Sister Eileen at St Clare's in Ennis. "Only for her he would not be here today," according to his father, Liam, who watches from the stand.
Twelve months intensive work, building on his seven golds in the national Games, including best overall performer. "William's something else. A good strong athlete," says head coach Sinead Byrne.
Weekend training camps, daily exercises. Hour upon hour of practice. It all comes down to this. His hands are powdered. He locks them into the rings. There's no second chance in this event.
Effortlessly, he raises himself off the ground. Balanced. Controlled. He rotates, flips his legs over his head and lets his arms take the strain. Any ordinary person would be feeling the pain of a dislocated shoulder by now.
But William's not ordinary. "He puts so much effort into what he does," his mother, Rose, remarks.
He holds the position for several excruciating seconds before flipping back into his starting position. Then, a swing, a turn in the air and he stumbles on landing. His hand hits the mat. He straightens himself. Arms aloft. But he's shaking his head. He didn't get where he is today by accepting less than the best.
"He was watching the Russians who went before him," coach Byrne reveals. "He felt he needed to match their quality, even though they will probably go up a group after today."
The judges are tough, as they have to be. "It does not do anyone any good to be charitable," says Byrne. However, it is only William's first event of six in the artistic discipline. Moreover, only 25 per cent of his score has been banked. The remainder is still up for grabs on Friday.
Not that the audience is thinking ahead. Every jump, twist and turn is followed by gasps and roars of approval. Oh yes, and the prisoners of Mountjoy will be glad to hear the flags they made for the opening ceremony are still in working order.
The atmosphere is in large part thanks to arena commentator Robert Carley whose catchphrases include "gym fantastic", "world games cheer" and "we're not worthy", delivered with a touch of the Ardal O'Hanlons when in full flow.
"It's a huge energy fest," says the father of five from Raheny, Dublin, who works - it's no surprise to hear - as a motivational speaker in sales training. He was introduced to commentating through his daughter Deborah, who trains with the mixed-ability Bayside Gymnastics Club, and went from the regional to national Games before landing this gig.
The best thing about his commentary is it includes everyone. He demands as big a cheer for the athlete from Suriname as the two dozen from the US, or the five from Team Ireland. Moreover, for deaf athletes such as Megan Quarles from the American Great Lakes squad, he asks people to wave rather than cheer to express their pleasure.
His gesture is well appreciated after Megan falls in one of the floor events. As she gets to her feet, the sight of 1,200 waving fans - some with those Mountjoy flags - brings a smile to her face.
Her spirit mended, all that needed checking now was Megan's leg, and that duty was performed by none other than Dr Liam Twomey, GP and Independent TD for Wexford.
"Well, I heard they we're short of doctors so I though I'd volunteer myself," he explains. "I just hope I can get off before 2 p.m. on Friday because I need to be back in the Dáil for the debate on the medical reports."
Thankfully, he notes, there have been no serious injuries at the games. Most of them we see are just exhausted," he adds. "TLC is all they need."
As for Megan, it will take a lot more than a tumble to stop her from competing. "She has had her hands ripped on the bars through training," her mother says. "But she has never been too hurt to stop."
Gymnastics. It's all about perseverance. As the crowd hushes again, Carley calls out the name of one William Loughnane. The 18-year-old from Ennis is on the vault. He lands perfectly. His mother Rose is on her feet. The cheers go up around her.
He turns to her and smiles. He knows he's quality.
