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Pommel Horse Guy Reveals Wholesome Reason for Closing Eyes in Viral Video
Stephen Nedoroscik stole our hearts during the 2024 Paris Olympics. The 25-year-old gymnast nailed his performance on the pommel horse, sealing the deal for Team USA to win their first medal in men’s gymnastics since 2008. Stephen wears glasses, and he and his girlfriend Tess McCraken have been referred to as Clark Kent and Lois Lane.
He famously kept his eyes closed in the moments leading up to his epic pommel horse performance and many wondered why.
The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon host spoke with Stephen about his performance, and he admitted he spent time “doing my breathing exercises” and “visualizing a lot.”
Stephen explained that getting “into the zone” and making sure that he was ready to win was very important to him. Stephen said the athletes get to the facilities hours before the competition, and he had to “calm down” before it was his turn on the horse.
He closed his eyes to help visualize himself “spinning, twirling, and flipping.”
Stephen Nedoroscik felt lucky on the day of the team competition because he got to go first.
“Usually, you have a draw at a competition of what event you’re starting on, and we got really lucky for day one [because] our draw was pommel horse was first,” he told Jimmy. “So it’s a great example because I literally got to warm up last in the back gym and then immediately competed.”
Stephen also went on to win a bronze medal in the individual pommel horse event. After his Olympic run, he shared a thank you to fans on Instagram. Stephen also left a tease that we’ll see him again in Los Angeles.
“Thank you to everybody who has supported me throughout my journey. I am just a man shaped by those who surround me, I couldn’t have done it without any of you.”
