Fred Richard Gives Honest Take on Going Extreme Lengths to Defy 130-Year-Old Gymnastics Norms

In gymnastics, every element, from scoring structures to attire, is bound by history. But sometimes, it takes one athlete to challenge a century-old convention, to throw caution—and in this case team USA’s Boston boy just revolutionized the sport on a random Friday, breaking a 130-year-old stereotype, but with a cost. Enter, 20-year-old Fred Richard!

The Olympic bronze medalist, and 2023 world all-around podium finisher, has never been one to “blend in”. He thrives in the spotlight, not just with his gravity-defying skills but with his unapologetic personality and flair for the dramatic. This time, his mission wasn’t just about executing routines but with precision—it was about making a statement. “I was destined to stand out,” Richard declared after his performance in Louisville. Richard has been hyping up a new type of men’s uniform in the lead-up to the Winter Cup, and he debuted it Friday night to the crowd at the Kentucky International Convention Center. A pushback against a rulebook written in an era when gymnastics still resembled a military drill more than a sport. Gymnastics Now revealed on X.

The 20-year-old Michigan standout had been teasing something big in the days leading up to the competition, and when he stepped onto the floor, the moment delivered. Gone was the traditional singlet and full-length pants, a uniform synonymous with men’s gymnastics since the first modern Olympics in 1896. Instead, Richard unveiled a look that felt more at home on a basketball court than a pommel horse: a loose tank top and mid-thigh shorts, with white leggings peeking out underneath.

The hybrid uniform, part hoops, part soccer, was equal parts comfort and rebellion. It wasn’t just about aesthetics—it was about identity. “I definitely look up to the sports like basketball, soccer—basically the sports where people are wearing your jersey in the crowd,” Fred Richard explained. “Fans right now, they’re not wearing our numbers or our jerseys. So when I was thinking about the top, I thought, you know, what’s something that parents can wear, kids can wear, and that’s the future of this.”

The stunt didn’t come without consequences. The International Gymnastics Federation (FIG) has long enforced strict uniform guidelines, and Richard’s deviation from protocol cost him three-tenths of a point per day, totaling a six-tenths deduction for the meet. In the grand scheme of a domestic competition, the penalty was negligible.

But at Worlds or the Olympics, where margins are razor thin, such a deduction could mean the difference between a medal and fourth place. And yet, Richard wasn’t fazed. Instead, he embraced it, sharing videos from the meet with captions like, “New uniform gave me too much power” and “Olympian gets deducted for changing the uniform.” It was clear that for him, this was bigger than a score—it was about shifting the perception of what men’s gymnastics could look like.

Still, his performance spoke for itself. Despite the deductions, Richard placed second after day one. His routines were electric, showcasing his trademark explosive energy and high-difficulty skills, all while wearing a uniform that, in his own words, made him feel ‘wild and free’. And if Richard’s innovation catches on, the FIG may have no choice but to revisit its rigid stance on uniforms.

The bigger question now is whether this was a one-time stunt or the beginning of a movement. Richard has proven that he’s not content with simply following in the footsteps of past gymnasts, and if that means shaking up a 130-year-old dress code, so be it.

Will Fred Richard dare to do the same, come the 2028 LA Olympics?

Could the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics be the stage for Fred Richard to break not just records, but also traditions? The young gymnastics star isn’t just dreaming of competing on home soil. The 20-year-old is thinking way far into the future.“The long-term plan, the dream is, walk into [the] 2028 Olympics, and we are wearing this uniform – five of us, the Olympic team – and that would be because FIG allowed this uniform to pass,”

Till then, as long as the Olympic medalist takes to the mat, the world shall see him donning the uniform of his choice. He does not care what are the consequences of this decision. He is more interested in making a change– a change that in Richard’s opinion is long overdue.

Just like he had to lose out on some precious points this time for his sartorial choice, he will risk facing the same impact each time. “I talked to Butch [Zunich] and a couple of head judges who make those decisions, and they said, ‘Wear it, get deducted.’ They’ll be able to look at video feed of what I look like in the uniform and see—is it safe? Is this hindering any gymnastics or judging? If it’s not, there’s no real reason not to allow it…” But at least, the next generation of gymnasts will be thankful to the Boston native for making a statement.

That said, the UM student knows when to pick his battles. “Any competition that I’m with the team… I’m not gonna wear a different uniform than my team. I’ll be respectful, but I am gonna be pushing really hard to make this change.” We are rooting for this fearless gymnast. While we wait for his next appearance on the mat, what are your thoughts on his move? Let us know in the comments below!