The family of U.S. Olympic gymnast Stephen Nedoroscik expressed their pride after he gained attention for his stunning pommel horse routine on Monday in Paris, earning the team its first medal in 16 years.
On social media, Nedoroscik was referred to as the “Clark Kent” of men’s gymnastics after he took off his glasses to execute his sole performance of the competition, ultimately securing a bronze medal for Team USA.
His mother, Cheryl, appeared on “Fox & Friends” alongside her husband, John, to share insights about how their son competes despite having strabismus – a genetic condition that affects his vision clarity.
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“His pupils remain dilated all the time, and he is missing a section of his iris,” Cheryl explained on Wednesday. “It’s essentially pupil all the way to the edge, which can lead to vision problems. Although it doesn’t guarantee issues, in our cases, we’ve always relied on glasses. We’re also very sensitive to light, and some individuals with coloboma can experience blindness, but luckily, we both retain our sight.”
PARIS, FRANCE – JULY 29: Stephen Nedoroscik of United States on Pommel Horse during the Men’s Artistic Gymnastics Team Final on day three of the Olympic Games Paris 2024 at Bercy Arena on July 29, 2024 in Paris, France. (Photo by Daniela Porcelli/Eurasia Sport Images/Getty Images)
“However, when he competes, he really doesn’t rely on his sight for the pommels,” she added. “He instinctively knows where his hands should go and positions himself correctly to execute routines like he did the other night.”
U.S. broadcast cameras captured Nedoroscik’s two-hour mental preparation on the sidelines as he geared up for his only event and the team’s final rotation of the night. Meanwhile, teammates Frederick Richard, Brody Malone, Paul Juda, and Asher Hong energized the audience and viewers at home with their impressive performances in the preceding rotations.
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As a pommel horse expert chosen for Team USA due to his exceptional skills, Nedoroscik approached the mat and achieved an impressive score of 15.166, bringing home the team’s first Olympic medal since 2008.
“It went really well for me today; I managed my nerves effectively,” he remarked afterward. “I’ve spent my entire life preparing for those 45 seconds.”
Co-host Brian Kilmeade inquired how their son became a specialist in a single event.
“He was recruited in college based on his pommel horse abilities,” Cheryl noted. “When Randy, the coach of Penn State men’s gymnastics, took him on, he chose to focus solely on pommel horse. He continues to train in other events for fitness, but not for competition.”
PARIS, FRANCE: JULY 29: The United States team of Asher Hong, Paul Juda, Brody Malone, Stephen Nedoroscik and Frederick Richard on the podium with their bronze medals during the Artistic Gymnastics Men’s Team Final at the Bercy Arena during the Paris 2024 Summer Olympic Games on July 29th, 2024 in Paris, France. (Photo by Tim Clayton/Corbis via Getty Images)
In addition to being one of the top pommel horse athletes globally, the 25-year-old holds a degree in electrical engineering and can solve a Rubik’s Cube in under ten seconds.
“His success stems from his dedication to excellence in every endeavor,” John said. “He studied diligently, and his affinity for puzzles has led him to master Rubik’s Cubes over the years.”
The Olympian, who made history as the first U.S. gymnast to claim a world championship gold on pommel horse in 2021, is set to compete for Olympic gold in the event on Saturday.
Report contributed by Ryan Gaydos of Fox News.
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