Why has the internet suddenly become obsessed with Team USA's 'Pommel Horse Guy'

vt-author-image

By Nasima Khatun

Article saved!Article saved!

Now that the 2024 Paris Olympic Games are well and truly in swing, we've been treated to some great moments including watching Celine Dion perform for the first time since she was diagnosed with stiff-person syndrome, watching Team USA secure gold medals for the women's gymnastics and of course, seeing the men's team also end the 16-year-long drought by clinching the bronze medal in the sport.

GettyImages-2164327890.jpgPaul Juda, Frederick Richard, Stephen Nedoroscik, Brody Malone and Asher Hong of Team United States clinched the bronze medals at the 2024 Olympics. Credit: Naomi Baker/Getty

But beyond just the medals, people cannot stop talking about one member of the team - and no, it's not Simone Biles this time.

It's Stephen Nedoroscik, AKA pommel horse guy.

They definitely saved the best for last on Monday night as the 25-year-old Penn State alum stepped up to the pommel horse.

GettyImages-2163827671.jpgNedoroscik of United States on Pommel Horse during the Men's Artistic Gymnastics Team Final. Credit: Daniela Porcelli/Eurasia Sport Images/Getty

With his thick-framed glasses and dashing smile, the gymnast was seen getting some shut-eye, playing charades, solving Rubik’s cubes, and cheering on his teammates – Brody Malone, Paul Juda, Frederick Richard, and Asher Hong – until it was time to show the world what he's made of, and that's exactly what he did.

Viewers were left glued to their screens as the athlete completed his routine on the apparatus, earning himself an impressive score of 14.866.

GettyImages-2163827551.jpgNedoroscik celebrated his performance on the pommel horse, earing himself the nickname of 'pommel horse guy.' Credit: Daniela Porcelli/Eurasia Sport Images/Getty

Social media users took to X to proclaim their newfound obsession for Nedoroscik, who secured Team USA an Olympic medal in men’s gymnastics for the first time in 16 years.

"Obsessed with this guy on the US men's gymnastics team who's only job is pommel horse, so he just sits there until he's activated like a sleeper agent, whips off his glasses like Clark Kent and does a pommel horse routine that helps deliver the team its first medal in 16 years," wrote one user.

"I stay on this godforsaken app because every now and then I’m gifted with a phenomenon like pommel horse man. I didn’t know who he was two hours ago and now he is a national hero. I’m a patriot but only for pommel horse man," another added.

And a third chimed in, stating: "I've been the biggest fan of this guy ever since I found out he existed... last night during the #Olympics. Seriously, who takes off their glasses and then nails a pommel horse routine like a superhero? Glasses wearers everywhere are tipping their frames to you, Steve!"

And this user was also very impressed, writing: "Absolutely sick that America brought Stephen Nedoroscik, some nerd from Massachusetts, to Paris who’s sole purpose in life is to ball out on the pommel horse. And in the biggest moment of his life. He pommeled the F*** out of that horse. Long live pommel horse guy #OlympicGames."

This woman even claimed that she was "in love" with him.

GettyImages-2164485955.jpgThe internet can't stop thirsting over 'pommel horse guy.' Credit: Kristy Sparow/Getty

I mean, that's the power a pair of thick-framed glasses can hold.

After the team's historic win, Nedoroscik chatted with Entertainment Tonight about his newfound fame, stating that he was very aware of all the memes floating around about him.

"I mean there's so many memes out there about me being a 'sleeper agent' who wakes up and turns into Clark Kent," he laughed.

He was later asked about his bronze medal.

"...I could hardly sleep... I woke up still feeling excited about it. I mean, this whole thing has been surreal," he told the outlet.

He then took a moment to commend his team, calling them the "hardest-working", "most positive" and "inspirational people" he's ever been on a team with.


With that attitude and that smile, we can't help but stan pommel horse guy.

Featured Image Credit:Tim Clayton/Corbis/Getty