The U.S. men’s gymnastics team indeed made history at the Paris Olympic Games! Claiming a bronze medal and ending a 16-year-long drought with relentless dedication, the young men truly helped the nation reclaim its position on the global stage. However, the win doesn’t seem enough to bring men’s gymnastics under the spotlight, unlike other sports. And to make sure the sport receives the recognition it deserves, Frederick Richard emerged to push the boundaries of representation in a sport often overshadowed by its female counterparts.

Despite years of underachievement and dwindling visibility, the 20-year-old Stoughton native stands proud, determined to shift the narrative surrounding men’s gymnastics. Men’s gymnastics has long been a sport that has historically struggled for recognition. The statistics too paint a stark picture. While there are approximately 138,000 women and girls registered in USA Gymnastics, only about 12,000 men and boys are enrolled on the other end. 

Reflecting on the scenario, Fred Richard recently shared his unfiltered thoughts with Cleveland Magazine. “In the U.S., we hear all this stuff about the women’s side of gymnastics winning medals and succeeding,” Richard said, resonating deeply with the issue. He further added, “But you know, the men’s side is growing.” The growing potential of the sport is understandable, tracking the path of success that the US men’s team has been following.

On one hand, Fred Richard, Yul Moldauer, Brody Malone, and others are caught up with the Gold Over America Tour, the individual bronze medalist, Stephen Nedoroscik is tackling the limelight as a DWTS star. Richard now just wants to focus on their recent triumphs to make gymnastics reach the hearts of young athletes and make them aspire. 

More so, because the disparity in attention given to men’s gymnastics compared to women’s is glaring. Once thriving in the 1970s with over 150 university programs, men’s gymnastics now sees just 12 Division I teams. Such a concerning trend has driven Richard and others to work towards changing the perspective. “Most males aren’t choosing gymnastics when they first choose a sport”, stated Fred. He added that young men are more driven towards more mainstream sports like football or basketball. 

Starting gymnastics at just four years old, Richard transformed from a casual participant to a dedicated athlete. And this makes him well aware of the true potential of the sport. As he prepares for the Gold Over America Tour at the Rocket Mortgage Fieldhouse, Richard would not just look forward to entertaining the audience but also to inspire young boys to take up the magnificent sport professionally.

Fred Richard and Stephen Nedoroscik rally for men’s gymnastics amid declining interests, while carving their own paths 

Alongside Fred, other gymnasts are stepping up to save their beloved sport! Recently, his teammate Stephen Nedoroscik took to the stage on Dancing With the Stars and dedicated a performance to his teammates and the sport that shaped him. He made a powerful statement, saying, “I wanted to make that a point because the sport itself has been slowly dying… to make sure this sport not only is surviving but thriving.” The Pommel Horse phenom has been living and breathing gymnastics since he was just four and a half, so you know this hits home for him.

Stephen emphasized the vital role the NCAA plays in developing athletes, but let’s face it: the challenges for male gymnasts go beyond just getting noticed. We’re talking about financial constraints and shrinking scholarships at the NCAA level. When the news broke that Ohio State was on the chopping block, potentially cutting ties with men’s gymnastics, Stephen posted his dismay to X: “Another step backwards for MGYM. With the success of current and former NCAA gymnasts at the Olympics you’d think NCAA programs would be excited for the upcoming season, not stripping away opportunities.”

Now, reports indicate they might be slashing scholarships but not axing the program entirely—yet. But let’s be real: it doesn’t paint a rosy picture of the future. What’s wild is that Ohio State University’s Athletics Department pulled in a whopping $251 million in revenue last year, more than any other program in the country. So, the cost of maintaining scholarships for men’s gymnastics? Chump change compared to that!

On the other hand, with the sport still remaining under shadows, Fred Richard is working to break the cycle of post-Olympic obscurity that men’s gymnastics has faced. With his strong social media presence is trying to inspire and rally new participants for the sport. Richard is truly pushing for a future where men’s gymnastics could even become professional.

With millions of followers on social media, six-figure brand partnerships, and content that captures the sport’s fun and complexity, Richard is redefining what it means to be a U.S. male gymnast. He’s not just performing stunts but is on a mission to show young athletes that men’s gymnastics is worth their time and dedication. 

As the US men’s gymnastics team set its sights on the future, their success in Paris would serve as a catalyst for revitalizing men’s gymnastics in the nation. With Richard at the helm, the men are poised not only to inspire a new generation of athletes but also to reshape the narrative around a sport that deserves its place in the sun.