WASHINGTON — Stephen Nedoroscik, Team USA's pommel horse specialist, helped deliver a long-awaited win for the men's gymnastics team on Monday.
After a stunning routine that secured the bronze medal, Nedoroscik was seen celebrating with teammates while donning his glasses.
Many on social media applauded Nedoroscik for wearing his glasses during the men's team final, rather than opting to wear contact lenses.
"Thanks for the glasses representation stephen nedoroscik," one user wrote on X, formerly known as Twitter.
Nedoroscik, the only specialist in the U.S. team, was even likened to Superman and his alter ego Clark Kent.
"OK, Stephen Nedoroscik, the US men's gymnastics pommel horse specialist, has these thick-rimmed glasses. He takes them off when he does pommel. Is anyone else thinking Clark Kent/Superman vibes?" another user said.
Nedoroscik did not wear his glasses during Monday's stunning routine on the pommel horse, but the two-time NCAA champion from Penn State is known for wearing his "sport goggles" during competitions.
The sports goggles aren't actually to improve his eyesight as he uses them for comfort and superstitious reasons, according to his Olympic profile.
“They’re more for show than anything,” he said. “They don’t have prescription in them."
The goggles have yet to make their Olympic debut.
"We’ll see if they make an appearance in one of the next couple of competitions I have," the 25-year-old from Worcester, Massachusetts said.
The sports goggles were the result of a secret Santa gift from a teammate at Penn State, according to the Boston Globe.
Pommel horse is an apparatus the American men have historically struggled with, but Nedoroscik has loved it since childhood. He practiced on it for hours after his parents installed one in the backyard.
In 2021, Nedoroscik became the first U.S. gymnast to win a world championship gold medal on pommel horse.
After qualifying in fifth place, the U.S. men ended a 16-year drought to the delight of the dozens of fans waving American flags who chanted “USA, USA” throughout the evening.
