Stephen Nedoroscik’s meticulous focus on details extends beyond his pommel horse performances. The American gymnast’s obsession with routines carries over into his life outside the gym. On Saturday, just prior to the pommel horse final at the Paris Olympics, he achieved the impressive feat of solving his Rubik’s Cube in under 10 seconds once again, which he interpreted as a positive sign for his upcoming performance.
“After solving it under 10 seconds before four team finals, doing it again today gave me confidence,” the 25-year-old remarked. Earlier this week, Nedoroscik was instrumental in securing a bronze medal for the U.S. men’s gymnastics team, marking the program’s first Olympic medal in 16 years with an outstanding routine.
In the tense atmosphere of the Bercy Arena, Nedoroscik showcased his skills by executing fluid movements across the pommel horse. Despite his impressive performance, he finished behind Ireland’s two-time world champion, Rhys McClenaghan, and Kazakhstan’s Nariman Kurbanov. McClenaghan claimed victory with a score of 15.533, while Nedoroscik scored 15.300 points.
Although McClenaghan opted for a more difficult routine, Nedoroscik chose to stick with his original plan, maintaining both his training regimen and diet. “We just continued to do the same ritual. My breakfast was six pieces of green apple and a chocolate muffin,” he said, emphasizing the importance of consistency.
Nedoroscik, a Worcester, Massachusetts native and two-time NCAA champion at Penn State, has unexpectedly gained popularity on social media, with numerous memes featuring him gaining traction online. “It’s unbelievable how many people are reaching out to me. I think it’s hilarious, and I’m glad people are making memes about me,” he noted, explaining that he had to mute notifications to focus on the competition.
New fans have likened Nedoroscik, who wears glasses, to Clark Kent, the alter ego of Superman, recognizing his talent and charm on the pommel horse. “If someone had asked me what would gain traction, I would have thought it was my eyewear or maybe my quirks,” he said. “I’m just happy people are enjoying my competitions.”
Historically, the pommel horse has been a challenging event for American gymnasts. However, Nedoroscik has cherished it since childhood, having practiced on a makeshift pommel horse in his backyard. In 2021, he became the first American gymnast to win a world championship gold medal on this apparatus.
Despite enjoying his routines, Nedoroscik faced a more solitary experience in the athletes’ village as some of his U.S. teammates departed after their events. “It was a little lonely,” he admitted, but he kept himself occupied by solving the Rubik’s Cube several times, managing to achieve another sub-10 second solve, which he felt was all he needed to prepare for the competition.