After Ending Team USA’s Medal Drought, Fred Richard Battles FOMO for Paris Olympics

Fred Richard, a Massachusetts native, has shattered barriers in the realm of gymnastics. Now, he’s hoping to add ‘Olympic medalist‘ to his resume. “When it comes to the gym I’m just pushing upgrades now, trying to get those Olympic routines ready,” he says. Having helped the  U.S. men’s gymnastics team win their first medal since 2014 at last year’s World Championships in Belgium, the 19-year-old phenom is poised to make his mark in Paris.

With eyes set on Paris, he seeks to rewrite the narrative, becoming a beacon of success for male gymnasts in Team USA. However, performing on the big stage comes with a lot of pressure, a challenge shared by Fred. Nevertheless, Fred has recently shared insights into his strategy for handling it.

Views on overcoming pressure

Five days ago, Sam Oldham, with a substantial following of 9.72k subscribers on his YouTube channel, unveiled a thought-provoking podcast titled “The Fred Richard Story“. In this engaging podcast, he was joined by Richard. When questioned about his emotions regarding the impending Olympic year and his prospects for making the team.

Richard articulated his perspective. He acknowledged the exhilaration of having a platform to showcase years of hard work but also admitted to grappling with the pressure of performing at the pinnacle of his abilities on a single day. However, he emphasized the necessity of reframing his mindset, shifting away from viewing the Olympics as the defining moment of his career. He championed a growth mindset, viewing each day as a chance to learn and develop.

This freed him from the pressure of unrealistic expectations and allowed him to excel when the moment arrived. By prioritizing the journey over the destination, Richard minimized pressure and cultivated an environment for optimal performance. Meanwhile, Fred’s rise to fame followed his historic achievement at last year’s World Championships.

Fred Richard made history!

Fred made history last year at the World Championships by accomplishing a remarkable feat. As the first American male athlete since 2010 to clinch a world gymnastics championship all-around medal. Notably, the youngest American male gymnast ever to secure an individual medal. But was it so easy? Not at all.

“Those other guys that also fell … they had to deal with the same thing as me,” he said. “Didn’t perform as well also under pressure. But I ended up the third-best performer of the day.,” he said. Even in the face of adversity, such as a fall on his last routine, the high bar, Fred’s determination and resilience shone through, ultimately securing his place in history as a trailblazer in American gymnastics.

Read More: TikTok-Famed Gymnastics Phenom Fred Richard Moves A Step Closer To Clinching A Prestigious Award