What Is the Story behind Stephen Nedoroscik’s Photos & Glasses That Get Him Compared to Superman?

The U.S. men’s gymnastics team secured their first Olympic medal in 16 years. Stephen Nedoroscik played a crucial role in this achievement, especially with his pommel horse performance.

Nedoroscik’s appearance in viral photos has sparked comparisons to Clark Kent, Superman’s alter ego. The article delves into the details behind these comparisons and Nedoroscik’s inspiring story.

A Historic Win for Team USA

The U.S. men’s gymnastics team delivered a standout performance at the Paris 2024 Olympics, marking their first Olympic medal in 16 years. This remarkable achievement came from the collective efforts of Asher Hong, Brody Malone, Fred Richard, Paul Juda, and Stephen Nedoroscik.

The team displayed exceptional skill and determination throughout the competition. Ultimately, they earned a bronze behind gold medalists Japan and second-place China. The U.S. finished with a total score of 257.793, just 1.801 points shy of Japan.

Their path to the podium was anything but easy. The team finished fifth in the qualifying rounds on Saturday, July 27, setting the stage for an intense final competition. Going into July 29, they decided not to focus on the scores of other teams.

They decided, instead, to concentrate on what they could control — their performance. Malone stated, “All we were going to worry about were the controllables that we could control, and that’s our gymnastics.”

Their final apparatus was the pommel horse, and the U.S. team was in third place behind China and Japan. It was then that the team’s pommel horse gymnast, Nedoroscik, delivered a clutch performance.

He scored 14.866, securing the bronze medal for Team USA. His routine has been lauded as being technically flawless. The gymnast demonstrated a level of composure and confidence that left a lasting impression on both the judges and the audience.

The reaction from the bespectacled pommel horse specialist and his teammates was one of pure joy and elation. They were seen screaming and cheering on the arena floor, waving an American flag with pride as the final scores were announced.

This bronze medal marks a significant milestone for the American men’s gymnastics team. It breaks a 16-year medal drought since their last podium finish at the 2008 Beijing Olympics.

Reflecting on the win, Nedoroscik shared, “It was a very long day. But watching these guys go through the first four events and absolutely killing it, I went to the back gym and I was ready to go.”

Nedoroscik, 25, had waited almost three hours until it was his turn to take the pommel horse on in the evening. As he approached his routine, he felt confident and prepared.

“I was just like, if I hit this routine, we’re on that podium. And going for that dismount, I was smiling on my way down. I knew in that moment that we did it,” he recounted proudly.

Nedoroscik’s performance has gained him entry into internet fame and led to numerous comparisons to the legendary superhero, Superman. The gymnast has inspired seemingly endless memes, including one of his last name as an eye chart.

The Viral Photos

Following his performance, Nedoroscik’s calm demeanor and focused expression captured in now-iconic photos quickly went viral. In one image, Nedoroscik is seen with his eyes closed, seemingly in deep concentration before his routine.

His glasses reflect the arena lights, with a look many found reminiscent of Clark Kent moments before transforming into Superman. This striking snapshot captivated fans and led to a flood of memes and comments online.

One fan commented, “That’s Superman right there, literally. Glasses on, cool and calm; glasses off, and Superman comes out.” Another joked, “He needs a relaxing mood,” highlighting his serene pre-performance state.

During the finals in Paris, Nedoroscik removed his glasses before executing his routine. His transformation, from a bespectacled athlete to a focused gymnast ready to perform, resonated with many viewers.

Nedoroscik’s history of competing with glasses, including at the 2022 World Championships, further fueled this comparison. The internet responded enthusiastically. One reply featured a meme featuring a picture of Superman in his superhero gear.

They captioned, “We recognize that look.” “Another meme showed a clip of Superman removing his glasses, as he got ready to shed off his mild-mannered alter ego. The caption read, That’s the new Superman.”

The Superman analogy gained further traction on July 30, when NBC Olympics & Paralympics posted a side-by-side photo of Nedoroscik and Clark Kent. The caption read, “Stephen Nedoroscik, the Clark Kent of pommel horse! #ParisOlympics.”

One commenter exclaimed, “He was awesome!” while another said, “I love this guy!!!” This newfound fame extends beyond his athletic achievements.

Nedoroscik has become a symbol of calm under pressure and transformation. His ability to maintain composure and deliver when it counts has earned him a place in the hearts of fans worldwide, who now see him as a real-life superhero.

Nedoroscik’s Reaction to the Memes

Nedoroscik’s internet fame landed him on the “Today” show on July 30. He created another meme-worthy moment by sporting co-anchor Hoda Kotb’s sunglasses.

Wearing his bronze medal and Kotb’s black sunglasses, Nedoroscik sat next to teammates Malone and Hong. The trio discussed their remarkable performance that earned Team USA a place on the podium for the first time since 2008.

During the interview, Kotb asked Nedoroscik how he felt about becoming a meme. He responded with a laugh, “I think they’re awesome. I’m representing people that wear glasses well.”

Nedoroscik explained that he took his glasses off before competing on the pommel horse, his only event, due to practical reasons. “It’s not necessarily clear, but if I keep them on, they’re gonna fly somewhere,” he explained.

Although his vision was less sharp without glasses, Nedoroscik emphasized that performing on the pommel horse is more about feeling the equipment. “I don’t even really see when I’m doing my gymnastics. It’s all in the hands — I can feel everything,” he shared.

Nedoroscik’s ability to laugh at himself and enjoy the moment highlighted his down-to-earth nature. His transformation from a mild-mannered athlete to a viral sensation demonstrated his adaptability and charm, winning him fans worldwide.

This light-hearted approach to his internet fame has only strengthened his appeal, making him a relatable and inspiring figure. Some fans have found him even more relatable after sharing the condition that makes him compete in his glasses.

Nedoroscik’s Eye Conditions

Nedoroscik’s choice to wear glasses is more than a simple style statement. It stems from two eye conditions he has lived with all his life. The gymnast has strabismus, also known as crossed eyes.

This condition affects the alignment of his eyes, causing them to point in different directions. According to experts, this condition can lead to loss of depth perception, blurry vision, or double vision. While glasses or contacts can help manage these symptoms, Nedoroscik has found ways to adapt to his routines.

Additionally, the athlete has coloboma, a genetic condition where some tissue in the eye is missing at birth. This can affect various eye parts and lead to vision problems, including light sensitivity.

This might explain why he borrowed Kotb’s sunglasses while appearing on the “Today” show. Nedoroscik has spoken about his eye condition on TikTok, describing how the condition makes him sensitive to bright lights.

Despite his vision impairments, Nedoroscik has managed to excel in gymnastics. He has learned to adapt his training and performance techniques to accommodate his vision limitations. Most of the time, he is seen sporting his sports goggles.

The Signature Sports Goggles

Nedoroscik’s sports goggles have become a trademark symbol in his gymnastics career. The goggles first made an appearance during his freshman year at Penn State. His college teammates gifted them as part of a Secret Santa exchange.

These goggles, affectionately known as “The Specs,” do not have prescription lenses; they are purely for show. Nedoroscik embraced the quirky accessory, wearing them during competitions for flair and a bit of good luck.

“They are simply for fun, kind of my trademark. I like to have fun out there,” he explained in a 2022 video profile. He also mentioned that from the very first competition wearing the goggles, they seemed to carry a bit of magic.

While the goggles have not made an appearance at the Olympics yet, Nedoroscik occasionally wears them to other competitions. According to his official Olympics profile, he sometimes uses the goggles more for their psychological boost than for visual enhancement.

Nedoroscik’s Clark Kent Pose Explained

The viral photo of Nedoroscik with eyes closed in deep concentration has a deeper meaning. This striking image captures a moment of mental preparation just minutes before his routine. Nedoroscik explained this pre-performance ritual.

It involves breathing exercises and visualization to keep his heart rate down and his mind focused. “Through that five minutes I’m sitting there, I’m just visualizing my routine over and over,” he shared.

This mental preparation helps him maintain focus and execute his routines with precision, even without the aid of his glasses. Nedoroscik’s approach to his routines emphasizes the importance of mental preparation in gymnastics.

His ability to visualize every move and remain calm under pressure is a key component of his success. This meticulous mental rehearsal transforms him from the mild-mannered, bespectacled athlete into the powerhouse gymnast capable of securing an Olympic medal.

Nedoroscik’s ability to perform at such a high level without relying on his vision highlights his exceptional skill and adaptability. His unique approach to the sport, combining physical and mental preparation, has set him apart as a remarkable athlete.