After party at Ronaldo's in 2016, I hope Mbappe's around this time, says Clarke

THE last time Joe Clarke won Olympic gold, he ended up at a house party in former Brazil striker Ronaldo’s Rio de Janeiro home.

- Matt Majendie

Now he is hoping another golden moment can lead to a similar celebration with Kylian Mbappe.

Clarke was just 23 when he burst on to the scene by winning canoe slalom gold for what was his first international title of any kind. It sparked 11 days of celebrations in Brazil, capped off by an unlikely run-in with the former footballer at a rooftop bar.

“I was having a few drinks and there were a few famous people around, including Ronaldo,” he recalled. “I had my medal with me and showed him. He was like, ‘Is that an Olympic gold medal?’ He was about to leave, asked me what I was doing next, and invited me back to his place. The lift doors were just opening, I didn’t have time to think, so just said, ‘yes’ — and next thing I’m being driven back to his house by his chauffeur.”