20-Year-Old Fred Richard Becomes Youngest Gymnast to Qualify for Olympics Since 1972

Fred Richard is on a winning streak and is undoubtedly headed for Paris! His trip next month is now guaranteed. This was clear from the outset when Richard dazzled on the first day of the men’s trials, delivering an outstanding floor routine and topping the high bar scores with an all-around total of 85.60.

His goal is clear: “I want to enter the Olympics with the whole country knowing, like, that’s Frederick Richard like this man is going to do it,” he declared earlier this June. And he did the same on the second day that’s final; his focus remained rock solid! Today, we proudly proclaim, “He is Fredrick Richard,” a name that needs no introduction.

Richard was beyond cloud nine on being roped in to represent Team USA. He was even seen exclaiming with a broad smile riven on his face –“a new mountain in my life.” Superseding all expectations, the Michigan Wolverines phenom wishes to keep up his upward trajectory going. He bemoaned –“Honestly, I think tonight was all about gratitude and gratefulness − just remembering my younger self and how proud he would be for me to be in this position today.” As per stipulated rules, a trials winner is only considered if he meets a certain criterion, i.e. – if he finished in the top three of three or more events. Fred Richard did just that, knocked it out of the park and how.

Fred Richard finished in top three in three main events – floor exercise, parallel bars and high bar. He was firing on all cylinders by clinching first in the high bar, second on parallel bars respectively. Fred Richard scored 14.000 on the floor, 13.600 on pommel horse, 13.850 on rings, 14.200 on vault, 14.800 on parallel bars, and 14.450 on the high bar on the final day. However, Brody Malone performed exceptionally well, scoring higher than Fred on the final day except for the 1 apparatus – high bar events.

At just 20 years old, he’s the youngest man to compete in the Olympics since 1972. But that’s not all! Fred Richard was on a roll this year. Last year, he contributed to the men’s team event, securing a bronze medal. He also made history as the youngest U.S. man to win an all-around medal at the Artistic World Championships, earning another bronze. This year, he was named the 2024 NCAA Gymnast of the Year. But all of this was made possible because of his family.

When Richard was 2, he started gymnastics after his parents noticed him trying it. Initially resistant to formal training, he began classes at age 4 and started competing at 6, focusing solely on gymnastics thereafter. This early start helped Richard develop a strong foundation, even repeating levels to meet age requirements and training alongside older children. But that’s not all! Part of Richard’s success is credited to Noah Lyles, who inspired him along the way and shared some techniques with him.

After 10 years of hard work, Fred Richard’s dream come true

Since the age of 10, the Olympics have been a constant aspiration for Fred Richard. He entered the Future Stars program, an intensive training initiative for top young U.S. gymnasts, which propelled him onto the U.S. national team and kick-started his Olympic journey. But he sees his purpose as revolutionary.

He is aiming to transform a sport that currently only has 15 NCAA programs in the U.S. When asked about the future of men’s gymnastics, Richard is candid: “I think the sport’s already dead compared to the top sports in the world.”

He envisions introducing the sport in school gym classes to inspire future generations to choose gymnastics as their sport of choice. Track and field stars also played a role in this journey. In February 2024, Richard shared a FaceTime call with Noah Lyles on Instagram, where Lyles offered advice on Richard’s Olympic vault technique.

Lyles pointed out issues and prescribed a rigorous training regimen, including hill sprints, jumps, and a reaction game, followed by recovery sessions in the pool complete with a rubber duck. And look at him today. Fred Richard is officially moving towards Paris, a dream he envisioned at the age of 10. Are you happy for him? Comment below and let us know!