Emotions ran high on June 29 at the Target Center in Minnesota. It was the day the US Olympic gymnastics team in the men’s category was to be announced. The fiercely contested trials went on for two days, and even up to the last second, no one was sure about the confirmed names due to the closely matched scores of participants like Fred Richard and Brody Malone. In the end, both of them made the selected list, but names like Yul Moldauer had to see the exit gate.

That shows the USA men’s gymnastics team’s level this time. Eventually, Lauren ‘Laurie’ Hernandez also highlights this in her discussions. The Rio Olympic medalist is counting on Fred Richard and his teammates to make it big in the Paris Olympics. Additionally, she has a few more reasons to cherish that squad.

Laurie Hernandez hails men’s gymnastics team for some vital points 

In a recent conversation with the hosts of Today, Laurie Hernandez discussed the USA men’s gymnastics team’s chances in the Paris Olympics. During the same interview, a clip was broadcast in which Fred Richard, a member of the Paris Olympics team, set the tone by saying a few motivating lines. He expressed his confidence in the team’s prospects in the upcoming Paris Olympics, saying, “I believe in these guys a lot, and I believe we can do it.” The host then turned to Laurie for her take on Fred Richard’s statements. In reply, she expressed her agreement with his comment.

Rather, she continued, “I do believe that if any year is going to be the year where they make it on that podium, it’s going to be this year.” The reason for dropping such big words was the trial-fire through which the gymnasts were tested in the Target Center last week. The trial showed three top gymnasts finding their place on the trial board keeping a point difference less than 0. 500 between them. Still among those names, Shane Wiskus found himself in the alternate squad later. 

Ending like those left Laurie Hernandez wandering more. A glimpse of that awestruckness could be found when she said, “I’ve never seen the men’s team push as hard as they have. They have something to prove.” Along with that, she praised the bond Fred Richard and his brothers-in-arm kept in front of the audience. A similar thing echoed in Brody Malone’s voice after the trial result. 

Fred Richard and Brody Malone sing in the same tone 

In his conversation with Today, Fred Richard spoke about the unified approach to earn success in the Paris Olympics. His notion of planning to bring success found further ground when he said, “We just need to keep doing what we’re doing.”  Meanwhile, his teammate, Brody Malone has similar thinking. 

In his post-trial conversation with NBC, the three-time US National champion reveled in the team approach as they are now donning the Stars and Stripes together. Apart from that, they have known each other for a long time. So the team, consisting of Fred Richard, Brody Malone, Paul Juda, Asher Hong, Stephen Nederoscik, Shane Wiskus, and Khoi Young, might not feel a lack of cooperation.

Meanwhile, Brody claimed, “We love each other and we respect each other and we want the best for us and we want the best for the Team USA. So that’s why we are so super close and supportive of each other.” Laurie Hernandez spoke of similar factors like team bonding that might help the team reach the peak of success in Paris. The fans would also want that- a gelling among the young guns.