Fred Richard made history at the Paris Olympics, becoming the first American gymnast in over a decade to win the men’s individual all-around. At 20, he’s already focused on gold at the LA 2028 Olympics. “We did all the work and it all paid off,” Richard told NBC. “But that just opened up more doors and showed more potential. Now I want gold.” However, his journey took a pivotal turn earlier in the year at the 2024 Xfinity U.S. Gymnastics Championships at Dickies Arena, where he faced off against Simone Biles. Competing against the queen of gymnastics tested him in ways he hadn’t imagined, transforming that loss into a moment of growth.

For Richard, the bronze medal he earned in Paris symbolizes Team USA’s growing strength. Meanwhile, Biles added three gold medals and one silver, further solidifying her legendary status. Richard even shared a lighthearted moment on Instagram, posting a video of himself “playing copy with Simone Biles,” where they tried to mimic each other’s routines but couldn’t quite pull it off, highlighting their camaraderie and mutual respect.

Fred Richard calls his loss to Simone Biles a turning point

In an emotional moment on “The Kelly Clarkson Show” on YouTube, rising gymnast Fred Richard opened up about his feelings in the video. “I would have assumed—like, ’cause I’m dumb, I guess—I would have thought you’d be perfect at everything,” he confessed. “But seeing that things didn’t go perfectly and that others struggled too, actually made me feel better.” Richard reflected on his previous belief that everyone would excel effortlessly, only to find solace in the shared imperfections and struggles of others.

Probably because it helped him understand there’s no need to be perfect or successful every time. He further continued, “It’s funny because you think, you know, men’s gymnastics, women’s gymnastics, like, go hand in hand. And you could do whatever they can do. But you switch sports, it’s like starting from scratch again.” Through this, he is pointing out the fact that women like Simone Biles always feel more pressure than men. Even though it looks like everyone can perform each other’s routines perfectly, it is always impossible. It highlighted how switching sports can even force athletes to start all over again. 

He further exaggerates how it used to be entertaining for him to switch sports and try something new. It was so much fun for him. By recalling his college times, he said he did the same thing as with Simone Biles then. Fred used to bring basketball and football players together just to help them learn backflips. So, after so long, doing the technique-switching thing with gymnastic GOAT Simone Biles was really an entertaining one, too, for him, especially looking at her form. The world all-around champion, Richard, never hesitates to praise Simone for her comeback. In a post-match interview at Xfinity US Gymnastics Championships 2024, he said, “She’s just, like, on a different level.” after he lost to her. He appreciated her comeback and expressed how she has always been a role model for his career. 

The 2024 Xfinity US Gymnastics Championships marked a significant moment for Fred Richard, as he secured his ticket to the Olympic trials. It was also a stage where Simone Biles once again showcased her extraordinary abilities by clinching the title. For Richard, this event was unforgettable as he witnessed Biles win her ninth title despite having been off the mat for months. He was particularly stunned by her flawless performance, with absolutely no mistakes—a display of dominance that left him both impressed and unsettled. This experience will undoubtedly shape Richard’s future performances as he continues to make his mark in the sport.

Simone Biles became a role model for many athletes like Fred Richard

The World All-Around Champion Fred Richard expressed his awe several times for Simone Biles, who was probably the greatest gymnast so far. But in a face-to-face encounter, he gave Simone a hard time because he couldn’t replay the boy’s gymnastics routines. Nevertheless, his admiration for her never disappears, even though she fails in her competitions. In an interview with Fox News, the youngest medalist on Team USA applauded Simone Biles’ current performance and said, “The way she came back, most comebacks are good – hers is dominant, she’s destroying everybody. It’s motivating on my end. It’s fun to watch,”.

He even said how her resilience and dedication on the mat inspired him to do better day by day. Fred is shocked by how Simone has maintained the same pace during her performance, even after all these years. Before the Paris Olympics, he even said in that same Fox News interview, “I’ll be cheering her on at the Olympics, we’ll be doing our thing. It’s fun for me to look up to her when I’m younger and now be right by her side and watch her dominate,” with a lot of pride.

As he cheered for the GOAT of gymnastics, this retired Pan-American champion reflected on his learning curve, too. He has said that he hopes people will eventually talk about him like they do on NBA star LeBron James. Richard hopes that in the future, he will be able to win individual medals. He will work on effective methods to restore energy during major events. Moreover, he wants to contribute to the USA gymnastics team and increase its visibility on the global stage.