Nowadays, success doesn’t simply translate into what one does on the mat. After all, just look at Stephan Nedoroscik. The guy won a bronze at Paris, ending a long medal drought for Team USA. But instead of that being it, he pushed himself further. This ended up taking him to DWTS. But it seems he isn’t alone in his line of thought. As it happens, his actions have already inspired the next generation. Who are we talking about? The new big thing in gymnastics, Fred Richard. But did the youngster have to say?

Well, in a conversation with gymnastics coach Sam Oldham in his podcast, Richard opens up about many things. One of them was about how one should plan the future. Oldham asked him if he, like Stephen Nedoroscik, had a plan before the Olympics to capitalize on success or how important it is for athletes to be prepared for opportunities beyond medals in the ruthless world of sports. The Olympic medalist couldn’t have been more honest with his answer.

Planning for success doesn’t start months before—it begins years in advance. Fred Richard’s journey to Olympic glory wasn’t a last-minute sprint but a marathon. “You don’t get a plan many months before by starting many months before,” he emphasizes, revealing that his strategy for Paris was in motion two years prior. Now, with LA 2028 on the horizon, his focus isn’t just on medals—it’s on building something bigger, something that outlasts his time on the mat.

Gymnastics is built on precision, discipline, and structure—so why should an athlete’s career be any different? “To get to the Olympics, you create a training plan, you pick the right routines, and you pick the ramp-up process,” Richard explains. But he isn’t limiting that approach to competition alone. His real game plan extends beyond training halls and into the business world because, in a sport where success is fleeting, the real challenge isn’t winning—it’s staying relevant.

For Richard, the biggest fear isn’t losing—it’s fading into obscurity. “You become the best in the world, you have all the success, and you walk down the street, and no one knows your name.” Gymnastics, unlike mainstream sports, often struggles with visibility, and Richard refuses to be another forgotten champion. His plan isn’t just about capitalizing on Olympic success—it’s about making sure that success translates into lasting impact, just as athletes in other sports have done.

Richard’s philosophy isn’t reserved for Olympians; it’s a blueprint for anyone chasing greatness. “It doesn’t matter if you’re 10 years old, 15, or 20—you should be thinking about it now.” The window for athletes to leverage their success is small, and those who aren’t prepared risk watching their opportunities slip away. With foresight, strategy, and an unshakable vision, Richard is proving that being a champion isn’t just about what happens on the mat—it’s about what comes after. And with that vision in mind, the gymnastics champion is working towards making a change.

Fred Richards wants to change the sport

Gymnastics is built on tradition—some of which have remained untouched for over a century. But Fred Richard isn’t here to follow the rules just because they’ve always been that way. He believes change isn’t just necessary—it’s long overdue. As he once said, “I like pushing the boundaries and doing crazy and creative things,” and that’s exactly what he did at the Winter Cup 2025, but at the cost of deduction in his scores. What has he done, you may ask?

Sometimes, the boldest statements aren’t made with words but with action. Richard’s decision to wear a short-sleeved uniform—something almost unheard of in men’s gymnastics—wasn’t just about personal preference. It was about challenging a rigid norm that had stood for 130 years. And yet, change doesn’t always come easy.

“It felt uncomfortable,” he admitted, acknowledging the physical and mental adjustment required. But discomfort, he believes, is often the first step toward something greater. For Richard, this is just the beginning. His willingness to embrace change—no matter how uneasy it feels—sets the stage for a sport that welcomes innovation rather than resists it. If no one takes the first step, nothing changes, right? And that’s how Richards took the first step?

Frederick Nathaniel Richard’s approach isn’t just about altering uniforms—it’s about shifting the very mindset of gymnastics. With athletes like him leading the charge, the sport’s future looks less like a rigid tradition and more like an evolving, dynamic force. As Richards is gearing up for LA 2028, some new changes or exceptions might be expected from him. What do you think about Richard’s change? Do share your thoughts in the comments below.