Olympic Gymnast Stephen Nedoroscik First Celebrity Named for Show

Stephen Nedoroscik has recently captured attention by winning two bronze medals at the 2024 Olympics. Now, he’s setting his sights on a different kind of prize: the Len Goodman Mirrorball Trophy.

ABC has announced that Nedoroscik will be the first celebrity to join the cast of the 33rd season of “Dancing with the Stars.”

The news was revealed on “Good Morning America,” where the program had teased the announcement of its first celebrity contestant. Shortly after, it was confirmed that Nedoroscik would be joining the show.

Nedoroscik’s participation continues the show’s rich tradition of athlete involvement, adding yet another exciting element to the upcoming season.

Nedoroscik expressed his enthusiasm about joining the cast, saying he was “very excited” and had immediately agreed when asked. The 25-year-old gymnast also mentioned that he hopes to incorporate some of his gymnastics skills, including moves from the pommel horse, into his dance routines.

“I’m hoping to bring some of them,” Nedoroscik said when asked about the possibility. “I want to bring some flares, I want to bring some of that gymnastics. Maybe a backflip or handstand. I want to have fun with it.”

In addition to his athletic prowess, Nedoroscik believes his demeanor on the dance floor will be similar to what he showcased at the Olympics. This means viewers can expect to see his pre-event routine, which includes breathing exercises and visualization to help keep him calm.

He also plans to wear his signature glasses, which earned him a reputation for his Clark Kent look, though he might experiment with different pairs for fun.

“I’m scared they might fly off, but maybe we could do a gadget to keep them on,” Nedoroscik joked. “Maybe I’ll get a new pair of glasses to match the theme, right? That’s what I’m thinking.”

Regardless of his plans, it seems that Nedoroscik’s personality will shine through during the competition, much to the delight of his fans.

Nedoroscik is making history as the first male gymnast to compete on “Dancing with the Stars.” However, he follows in the footsteps of seven female gymnasts, including Simone Biles, who has more medals than any other USA gymnast in history.

Here’s a look at the gymnasts who have previously participated in the competition:

Gymnast	Season	Finish
Shawn Johnson	8	1st
Allie Raisman	16	4th
Nastia Liukin	20	4th
Laurie Hernandez	23	1st
Simone Biles	24	4th
Mary Lou Retton	27	9th
Suni Lee	30	5th

Nedoroscik is currently the only announced member of the 2024 “Dancing with the Stars” cast. The rest of the participants will be revealed by Sept. 4, just under two weeks after Nedoroscik’s announcement.

The show is set to begin airing on Sept. 17, leaving little time for the celebrities to prepare for their shot at the Mirrorball Trophy.

Source: Good Morning America, ABC