Only Stephen Nedoroscik truly knows what was going through his mind as he sat back and closed his eyes during the men’s gymnastics team final at the 2024 Paris Olympics.
While his thoughts may have been varied, it’s doubtful that the American gymnast was contemplating how he would soon become a meme.
The 25-year-old from Worcester, Massachusetts, faced the daunting task of performing on the pommel horse in a high-pressure moment at the end of the team final.
After a long and mentally exhausting wait, he delivered a stellar routine, scoring 14.866 to secure a bronze medal for his team. This achievement marked the first time the American men had medaled in the team final since 2008.