Fred Richard’s bold move at the Winter Cup 2025 wasn’t just about style—it was a statement. Imagine stepping onto the competition floor, knowing that every routine you perform will be penalized. Knowing that your final ranking will take a hit. Knowing that the gymnastics world—steeped in a 130-year-old tradition—will be watching, whispering, maybe even criticizing. And yet, Fred Richard did it anyway. Why so? You may ask.

Fred ditched the Singlet, a staple of men’s gymnastics, and competed in a loose tank top, pommel horse pants, and shorts. A revolutionary move, and one that came at a cost. As expected, judges deducted points for his uniform violation. He finished in second place, but his message was crystal clear.

In his February 27 video message, Fred didn’t sound defeated. He didn’t sound regretful. Instead, he embraced the consequences with a smile. “The highest level, the Olympics, those three-tenths matter a lot. In these competitions, you know, I was willing to risk it.” So, why did he do it? Why willingly sacrifice points and a potential win?

Fred Richard shares his honest reasons for going against the tradition 

On February 12, Fred gave a short and simple social media update: “I’m making this change…” But if you thought that was the full story, you’d be wrong. In a recent deep-dive conversation with Sam Oldham’s YouTube podcast, Fred finally laid out the genuine reasons behind his decision. And if you’ve ever worn something that made you feel awkward, uncomfortable, or just not like yourself, you might understand exactly where he’s coming from.

Fred didn’t hold back. “I’ve hated the way the uniforms look, felt uncomfortable in them,” he admitted. And it wasn’t just a passing thought. It was something that weighed on him every single time he competed. “Every time I put it on, I’m like, ‘Alright, we have to go out in this uniform,’ never feeling like, ‘Wow, this is awesome. I can’t wait to compete, and everybody sees me in this uniform.’” Translation? 

The singlet never felt like him. And here’s the tea: this wasn’t a secret. His teammates, coaches, and higher-ups all knew about his issue with the traditional uniform. But even though they were aware, change wasn’t easy. But Fred knew what he was up against. 

Gymnastics is built on tradition, and many in the sport—especially the older generations—weren’t too keen on the idea of ditching the singlet. But Fred had already made up his mind. He decided he’d wait until after the Paris Olympics to push for change. And when the time came? He got to work.

Instead of just complaining about singlets, Fred Richard took action. He teamed up with Turn, a gymnastics apparel brand, to design something that addressed all his ‘pain points.’

“There’s a lot of them,” he admitted, “but also just—what would I really love to wear and feel true to me? To my younger self who hated the uniform?” That was the guiding principle. With a clear vision and a solid partnership with Turn, Fred wasn’t just making a statement—he was creating a movement. If there’s one thing to know about Fred Richard, it’s this: he doesn’t just accept the way things are—he challenges them. This isn’t the first time he’s taken a risk for the sake of gymnastics. Remember when he skipped meals so he could pay a social media team to grow the sport?

Remaining starved was the way out for the gymnast  

Fred Richard’s journey to social media stardom didn’t happen overnight—it was a game of risk, sacrifice, and sheer determination. How? It all started in 2020, during the COVID-19 pandemic, when he casually uploaded a short skit online. He wasn’t expecting much, just a fun clip to pass the time. But then—boom. The video took off.

That one viral moment flipped a switch in Fred’s mind. What if he took this seriously? What if he combined his gymnastic skills with content creation? The answer was obvious: he had to go all in. Fred quickly realized that social media wasn’t just about posting cool videos. To truly make an impact, he had to treat it like a business—meaning consistency, quality, and strategy. His audience was growing fast, but to reach every corner of the internet, he needed a team. Problem? That required money. A lot of it.

Fred was a full-time athlete on a scholarship, meaning he wasn’t rolling in cash. The logical option? Forget the content team and just do what he could alone. But that’s not how Fred Richard operates.

Instead of backing down, Fred made a bold decision—he cut back on food expenses to pay for his content team. “I felt like it was a risk,” he admitted in his interaction with NPR last year. “But I knew—I have a full scholarship, I have no debt. I could stay living off of dining hall meals for a little longer.” Translation? 

Fred Richard was willing to eat the bare minimum if it meant building something bigger. The gamble ultimately paid off—big time. With a dedicated team behind him, Fred’s content exploded in quality and reach. His audience multiplied. His influence skyrocketed. He wasn’t just an Olympian anymore—he was a brand. What started as a simple pandemic skit turned into a game-changing movement. And it all happened because he was willing to make sacrifices most wouldn’t even consider.

Because in Fred Richard’s world, success isn’t just about talent. It’s about how much you’re willing to give up to get there. You have seen this again in the Winter Cup 2025.