The U.S. men’s gymnastics team is on the brink of rewriting history. As the team gears up to compete for the first day of events for the Paris Olympic Games, they are striving to break a 15-year medal drought. Since a bronze win at the 2008 Beijing Olympics, the US men’s gymnastics team has been haunted by near-misses and missed opportunities. However, this year as it appears, the men are fueled by unwavering ambition to reclaim their place on the podium. They are training rigorously at the Bercy Arena, where the upcoming competitions will be held.

Despite failing several times to grab the same spotlight as their female counterparts, these athletes are more focused than ever now. The air is thick with anticipation as they refine their routines, and perfect their techniques. The world is aware that the team now nurtures one goal in their minds, to end the medal-less streak and bring glory back to U.S. men’s gymnastics. 

Although the US men’s gymnastics team in 2021 Tokyo was led by Yul Moldauer and Brody Malone the team failed to end their journey with a podium finish. In the 2016 Rio Olympics as well, the US team finished in the fifth position and saw their dreams shatter as Japan, Ukraine, and Great Britain snatched the medals away. In Tokyo too, the team ended in the fifth position. For the last three consecutive Olympics, the USA men’s team had a fifth-place finish. The medals indeed seemed too close to the nation, but the eldorado continued to elude the men’s team.

However, this time the two-time Olympian Brody Malone is more ready than ever. Malone currently leads the chart as the 2024 US All-Around Champion. On the other hand, Fredrick Richard too has just made his debut in Paris with his kind of “Hello World”, taking cues from legendary golfer Tiger Woods. Fred also holds two bronze from the 2023 Antwerp Worlds. US fans also have their hopes high as their eyes are fixed on the 20-year-old Boston native. Fred Richard won bronze in the 2023 World Championships which added the feather of being the youngest USA gymnast to grab an individual world medal in men’s gymnastics. Not only had he added a new record under his name but has also put an end to a 10-year-long wait. It was last in 2010 when the USA got a medal in the Worlds and now with Richard already putting an end to the 10-year-long wait, he had reignited the hopes for an Olympic medal further. 

Will US men’s gymnasts finally break a 15-year-long curse and step into the spotlight from the shadows?

Back in 2004, USA’s men’s gymnasts won the silver medal, and in the very next Olympics as well they secured a podium place. After the win, the head coach of the 2008 Beijing Olympics, Kevin Mazeika said, “It’s just unbelievable considering everything we’ve been through. It’s been a roller coaster ride. I couldn’t be prouder of these guys, of all the coaches, and this whole collective, collaborative effort.” Stephen Raj Bhavsar, the Olympian who bagged 13.750 for the US said, “I’m a firm believer that in life, when you have nothing left to give, you have to dig down deep and find it within you to keep going. I hope that my message carries into the spirit of other people that if I can do it, so can you.” The 2024 men’s team firmly aligning to Bhavsar’s words is competing in the qualifiers round aiming for the medals. 

The potential medal winner for the USA for the all-around high bar is Brody Malone, and for the all-around high bar floor is 20-year-old Fred Richard. Asher Hong would eye for the gold in Vault and Stephen Nedoroscik in Pommel Horse. And to support the team in the team event, Paul Juda has been added to the list. Now, as they make their final push, one question lingers in the minds of fans; will 2024 be the year they overcome the curse and rise to Olympic greatness once more?