Olympic Pommel Horse Medalist Stephen Nedoroscik to Join Dancing with the Stars

Every four years, the Olympics present an incredible stage for athletes from around the globe to exhibit their skills and compete for coveted medals. Whether they secure bronze, silver, or gold, making it to the podium is a mark of excellence and honor.

This summer at the Olympic Games in Paris, France, gymnast Stephen Nedoroscik stunned audiences worldwide with his remarkable prowess on the pommel horse. His exceptional performance helped propel the US men’s gymnastics team to a bronze medal, marking the first time the team has reached the podium in a men’s team event since 2008. Nedoroscik also earned an individual bronze for his outstanding skills on the apparatus.

Nicknamed “Pommel Horse Guy,” Nedoroscik has captured the hearts of many with his talent and determination. The 25-year-old athlete is about to take on a new challenge, as he has been announced as the first contestant for the 33rd season of ABC’s popular show, Dancing with the Stars. In this competition, professional dancers pair up with celebrities to perform various dance routines, with the pair receiving the fewest votes from fans being eliminated each week until one pair wins the crown.

While the rest of the cast remains a mystery for now, Variety has confirmed that Alfonso Ribeiro and Julianne Hough will co-host the upcoming season, and Carrie Ann Inaba, Bruno Tonioli, and Derek Hough will return as judges. The new season is set to premiere on September 17 at 8 pm, and it will be broadcast simultaneously on ABC and Disney+, with next-day viewing available on Hulu.

Nedoroscik’s nickname, “the Clark Kent of pommel horse,” originated from an official Olympic social media account, thanks to his ability to perform incredible routines without his glasses. This trait has earned him admiration and attention, which he channels positively by supporting individuals with low vision, a cause close to his heart as he himself has strabismus—a condition he has openly discussed on his TikTok channel.

In an interview with Today, reported by Variety, Nedoroscik explained his experience performing without glasses. “It’s not necessarily clear, but the thing about pommel horse is if I keep them on, they’re gonna fly somewhere,” he said. “When I go up on the pommel horse, it’s all 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.”

It’s worth noting that Nedoroscik is not the first Olympic medalist to compete on Dancing with the Stars, nor the first gymnast. Shawn Johnson, a gymnast, was the first Olympic gymnast to appear on the show, winning in 2009 and finishing second in an all-star edition in 2012. Other gymnasts like Aly Raisman, who finished 4th in 2013, Nastia Liukin (4th in 2015), Laurie Hernandez (1st in 2016), and Simone Biles (4th in 2017), have also competed.

The show has seen its share of Olympic ice skaters as well. Kristi Yamaguchi won in 2008, Evan Lysacek finished second in 2010, Charlie White finished fifth in 2014, and Meryl Davis, White’s ice dance partner, won that same season. Additionally, Nancy Kerrigan finished sixth in 2017, and Johnny Weir finished sixth in 2020.

Here’s wishing the best to Nedoroscik as he competes for another prize—the title of winner of Dancing with the Stars.

Source: Variety, Today