“I like pushing the boundaries and doing crazy and creative things.” –  Fred “Flips” Richard has always been THAT kid. Despite being 20-years-old, Richard has been shattering the glass ceiling by changing the landscape many are privy to in the sport. Many continue to associate the world of gymnastics with crème de la crème like Olga Korbut, Svetlana Khorkina and most recently Simone Biles. But Richards is slowly paving a path for male gymnasts in an ocean of decorated female gymnasts before and alongside him. 

At the 2023 World Championships, Fred Richard ended a nine-year medal drought by winning a bronze with the U.S. Men’s team. He also went on to clinch a bronze in the all-around final at the same championship. The young wunderkind is also the youngest American male to have won an all-around NCAA title. He will now be stepping up for what possibly could be his first Olympic run, and he intends on tackling it head on. But what motivates the gymnastic icon to continue pushing? 

Everything about the Richard Family

For Fred Richard, home is where it all started. His heritage is a beautiful blend of Dominica and Haiti roots. His parents, Anne-Marie and Carl might come from the Caribbean, but Fred and his siblings were raised in a lovely town in Massachusetts. Despite having spent most of their lives here, their parents made sure they were in touch with their roots throughout. 

His father, Carl, had been working at Tufts University for a few years. However, he realized he wanted to be a part of his son’s journey more than he already was. So, to ensure that happened, he quit his job to start his own business. Anne-Marie, on the other hand, was far more involved in her son’s gymnastics career from the very beginning. 

Richard has three siblings Carlton, Alexandra, and Kevin. His sister used to pursue gymnastics as a child. So Fred has always been around the sport growing up. They often would go pick up Alexandra from the gym, and he’d often run on the floor and tumble every single time. That’s when Richard realized his love for the sport. 

His parents made it a point to support him at every competition. Carl mentions to The Bay State Banner, “He needs to know we are there. Being a young African American male can be a daunting task, especially in an environment where there are so few Blacks.” The entire family would come together to ensure Richard knew they had his back. He continues, “And by being with our son we can help guide and protect him from rumors and other negative things that are out there.” Richard’s parents have played an integral role in setting a supportive yet encouraging environment for each of their children.

Fred Richard started onto this uphill climb early on in his childhood, and his parents have always been his biggest support system since then. They were dedicated to the idea of giving their son the best chances. But, Anne-Marie was the one who ensured her son had a fair fighting chance in the competitive sport early on. 

Fred’s mom knew he was meant for greater things from the get go

Fred Richard’s tumble whenever they picked his sister up was a clear indication of his path. But Anne-Marie noticed his potential early on. In a candid conversation with NBC, she expressed, “From very early on he was doing handstands; I mean, he was literally doing it in his crib at less than two.” Due to Alexandra already pursuing gymnastics, their mother was privy to what the sport demanded. When she noticed Richard doing pull up’s and flipping backwards to dismount on her husband’s iron rod in the doorway at 6, she knew he had to be in a structured training environment to excel. 

She then decided to enroll him under Coach Tom Fontecchio, who was already coaching Alexandra by this point. Fentecchio understood Richard’s potential and thought he would go beyond collegiate gymnastics if he wanted. Fred recalls how integral Fentecchio was to his growth as an athlete. “Tom saw my potential, and on the weekends, he’d go out of his way to drive me to other gyms that had the right equipment.” Realizing Richard would need better technical training, Fentecchio guided the young athlete to Yuan Xiao in Michigan, where he currently trains under Xiao’s tutelage. 

The Richard family’s continuous support has helped Fred burst onto the scene with vigor. Yes, the young prodigy was always gifted in terms of the sport. But, his family made sure he was molded under the right guidance, leading him to realizing his dream at his first Olympic trials. The prodigy believes he can revolutionize men’s gymnastics, where someday people will easily identify a male gymnast on the fly. 

As he steps up at the Target center, his family’s support will be the driving force behind breaking the barriers many set before him. The Summer Games are less than a month away. Fred Richard will lock horns with the nation’s elites on the floor, vying for a shot at Olympic glory. But one thing’s for certain: His family will be watching from the stands, cheering their son on as he lives his dream. Will we see Fred Richard at the French capital? We might just find out shortly!