USA’s ‘Clark Kent’ Stephen Nedoroscik Makes Olympic History

The USA Men’s Gymnastics team clinched the bronze medal at the 2024 Paris Olympics for the first time in 16 years, marking their first medal since the 2008 Olympics and the man being dubbed “Clark Kent” was a huge part of this historic moment.

Stephen Nedoroscik, known as the “Pommel Horse Guy”, delivered a nearly flawless routine and earned the USA’s highest score on the pommel horse to help secure their bronze medal.

Nedoroscik is widely recognized in gymnastics for wearing his signature thick, dark-rimmed glasses during his competitions.

“They’re more for show than anything,” he said to AP. “They don’t have prescription in them. We’ll see if they make an appearance in one of the next couple of competitions I have.”

Competing in his first Olympics, the 25-year-old former pommel horse world champion performed so well during qualification he edged out two-time Olympic champion Max Whitlock of Britain, scoring 15.200 to Whitlock’s 15.166.

His qualifying score tied with Ireland’s Rhys McClenaghan for the highest among the eight finalists.

“Going out to Pommel Horse, last guy up there in the whole competition, I had a good feeling that our team was in a great spot,” Nedoroscik said in an interview. “I just knew I had to go up there and do my job.”

By the time Nedoroscik approached his dismount with a huge smile on his face, he knew his job was done. The celebration started before he even touched the mat, followed by a score of 14.866. The gymnastic superhero revealed he had goosebumps, calling it the best moment of his life.

Many fans are buzzing on social media about the 25-year-old from Worcester, Massachusetts.

Nedoroscik was well aware of the daunting history of the pommel horse, an apparatus the American men have historically struggled with for decades. This understanding drew him to the apparatus, as it demands qualities he excels in—stamina, strength, and, most notably, creativity.

He loved the pommel horse since childhood, practicing on it for hours after his parents installed one in their backyard.

Nedoroscik graduated from Penn State University in 2020 with a degree in electrical engineering and competed in gymnastics throughout all four years.

The athlete has his friends, family, and girlfriend Tess supporting him.

“What a lucky man I am to have you by my side throughout this journey,” Nedoroscik took to Instagram. “I can’t imagine where I’d be without you supporting me every day.”

In 2021, Nedoroscik became the first U.S. gymnast to win a world championship gold medal on the pommel horse.

“Running into trouble on the apparatus early on taught me how to fight, how to stay on, how to really go for that routine,” he told AP. “And I think that has stuck with me throughout.”

A few feet away, his four teammates — Brody Malone, Asher Hong, Paul Juda, and Frederick Richard — cheered wildly after his performance.

Nedoroscik’s next event is the finals on Saturday, where he has the chance to add another medal to his collection before heading home.

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