Fred Richard is a name that’s become familiar to nearly every gymnastics fan across the USA, especially after the 2024 Paris Olympics. However, the 20-year-old, who created history by breaking the 16-year-old medal drought of U.S. men’s gymnastics, prefers you call him by his full name, Frederick Richard. “That’s my real name—that’s the French name,” the gymnast said from Paris.

“The brand name is Frederick Flips, so I think I should be called Frederick,” added Team USA’s first male athlete to win a world gymnastics championship all-around medal since 2010. Richard’s full name gives the first clue about the Olympian’s unique ethnic heritage to those hearing it for the first time. The ethnic heritage of Frederick Richard is Dominican-Haitian.

Ann-Marie Richard, his mother, was born in the Dominican Republic and later obtained US citizenship. While Carl Richard, his father, was born in Haiti. Because of his parents’ inheritance, Richard has a mixed ethnic background. Originally from the Dominican Republic, Fred Richard is an American.

Where is Fred Richard from?

Fred Richard, the dynamic American artistic gymnast, hails from the charming town of Stoughton, Massachusetts. Born on April 23, 2004, Fred’s journey into gymnastics began at a tender age, inspired by his older sister’s involvement in the sport. His early displays of talent, like performing handstands in his crib, hinted at the remarkable athlete he would become.

Fred graduated from Stoughton High School in 2022. He is currently enrolled at the University of Michigan and competes in the NCAA Championships for the Michigan Wolverines. Fred Richard won bronze at the 2024 Summer Olympics and made history, as this was the first medal of the US men’s gymnastics team since 2008.

To celebrate that, a local restaurant, J&G Hillside Grill, held a meet and greet with the gymnast, including his family, friends, and fans. That’s not all Richard’s alma mater, Stoughton High School, celebrated the victory of the 2024 Paris Olympics on October 6, 2025. And guess what? The day will be called “Frederick Richard Day.“

What is Fred Richard’s nationality?

Fred Richard is an American artistic gymnast, born in Stoughton, Massachusetts. With Dominican and Haitian roots from his parents, he embraces a diverse heritage while representing the United States on the global stage. His journey from a talented toddler to an elite gymnast showcases his dedication and cultural pride.

Where are Fred Richard’s parents from?

Frederick Richard’s parents hail from different countries. Fred Richard’s parent’s nationality is different from each other.​ The Olympian’s mother, Ann-Marie Richard, was born in the Caribbean nation of Dominica. While the former world champion’s father also hails from the Caribbean, he was born in Haiti.

However, the pair crossed paths after moving to America and marriage started a family in Massachusetts. Fred’s parents, Carl and Ann-Marie Richard, have been unwavering pillars of support throughout his career. Today, Fred Richard and his three siblings Carlton, Alexandra, and Kevin bear the unique ethnic identity of Americans with roots in Dominica and Haitian culture.

And to say that his family has played an important role in the Michigan Wolverines member finding his identity as a gymnast would be an understatement. In fact, Richard’s gymnastics journey has shaped his family over the past two decades.

Like every parent, Carl and Ann-Marie also wanted their children to be active. However, they didn’t know that their then-two-year-old son would take gymnastics so diligently. “My sister was in gymnastics and I always ran on the floor and tumbled when we picked her up,” Richard told USA Gymnastics. The Olympian was trying gymnastics even before getting out of his crib.

“I was also doing handstands in my crib very early, which gave my parents a hint that they should get me in gymnastics,” added the gymnasts. However, they went far beyond simply sending him to gymnastics classes. Ann-Marie and Carl Richard saw their son’s potential and molded their lives around their son’s passion as he continued to improve.

Ann-Marie Richard juggled being a research scientist and helping her son excel in the sport. Similarly, Fred Richard’s father left his job at Tufts University to start a business so he could support the young talent. While it was Levon Karakhanyan who taught the 20-year-old, his parents and siblings created the support system Richard needed.

Besides supporting their son, they also taught the youngest American male gymnast ever to win an individual world championship medal a strong sense of his unique heritage. Today, it’s become yet another motivation for the young gymnast to push himself into practice and competition.

How the Olympic bronze medalist hopes to be a role model in more ways than one

In June 2024, just a month before departing for the Paris Olympics, the former world champion summed up his ultimate career goal. “I want to be that Michael Jordan of gymnastics,” Fred Richard told USA TODAY. After making history at the world championships and breaking Team USA’s 16-year-old medal drought, it’s safe to say the University of Michigan gymnast is off to a stellar start.

However, there’s the Stoughton, Massachusetts, resident who is fighting for more than personal glory. The gymnast with over a million followers on social media is fighting for men’s gymnastics, and especially to inspire young African American kids. “I’ve realized a lot of Black kids are looking up to me nowadays and I think it’s amazing to see that I’m that person leading the chase,” Richard told USA TODAY.

However, Fred Richard’s parents played a huge role in helping him come to this realization. “He needs to know we are there. Being a young African American male can be a daunting task, especially in an environment where there are so few Blacks.” Carl Richard told The Bay State Banner. “And by being with our son, we can help guide and protect him from rumors and other negative things that are out there,” his father added.

Now Fred Richard’s goals have intertwined into one. “It kind of put this chip on my shoulder. I want to dominate. I don’t want to be the odd one out that doesn’t stand out. I’m going to be the best one that they all look up to… I’m the black kid, but I’m the black kid who’s really good at gymnastics,” Richard said according to Andscape.

Will Richard achieve even greater heights and become an even bigger role model at LA 2028? Only time will tell.