Stephen Nedoroscik, the pommel horse specialist who has become a breakout sensation at the 2024 Paris Games, won a bronze Olympic medal on Saturday in the men’s gymnastics individual pommel horse finals.
Nedoroscik, 25, scored a 15.30 in the individual pommel horse finals — the only event he competes in, but one he does exceptionally well. He draped the American flag around his shoulders like Superman as he took the podium.
Ireland’s Rhys McClenaghan took the gold with a score of 15.533, and Kazakhstan’s Nariman Kurbanov took silver with a score of 15.433.
During the team event, Nedoroscik scored 14.866 on the pommel horse and played a big part in Team USA winning the bronze, the first U.S. medal for men’s gymnastics in 16 years. Nedoroscik had the highest score for any event among the U.S. male gymnasts during the team match.
Eurasia Sport Images / Getty Images
His 15.200 qualifying score for the individual event tied Ireland’s Rhys McClenaghan for the tops among the eight finalists.
Since Team USA won its bronze medal on Monday, Nedoroscik has become an Olympic darling known as “Pommel Horse Guy.” He has been compared to Clark Kent for wearing dark-framed glasses, which he whips off and turns into Superman when he gets on the pommel horse, a fan wrote on social media after his win.
Tim Clayton/Corbis via Getty Images
Nedoroscik takes all the internet memes in stride, telling Entertainment Tonight, “They are hilarious. It is such an honor to be in that position.”