Janice R. Andrews
PARIS — The American men’s gymnastics team won a bronze medal on Monday at the Paris 2024 Olympics, their first in 16 years, amid a flutter of passion and delight. Bercy Arena erupted in cheers as the squad celebrated their victorious comeback to the podium: “U-S-A, U-S-A.”
Asher Hong, Paul Juda, Frederick Richard, Stephen Nedoroscik, and Brody Malone made up the squad. They performed admirably, moving up from fifth place in qualification to win the medal. They finished with a team total of 257.793, surpassing their qualifying standards in 14 of the 18 routines. China received silver (259.062), while Japan won gold (259.594).
The Americans held onto third place during their last round on the pommel horse. Juda’s score of 13.900, Malone’s 13.700, and Nedoroscik’s remarkable 14.866 completed their triumph and started the festivities.
The United States men’s team hasn’t won a medal since 2008, but this bronze is their first. Every athlete supported and encouraged their colleagues during every routine, demonstrating the team’s cohesion and resolve.
Hong of Tomball, Texas, led on rings (14.533) and vault (14.833), while Richard of Stoughton, Massachusetts, stood out with the best scores on parallel bars (14.566), horizontal bar (14.833), and floor (14.466). Juda and Malone’s steady performances were essential in preventing any serious mistakes.
Each nation must participate in six disciplines with three athletes in the team event, which measures concentration and talent. Team USA’s lengthy wait for a medal was ended by their performance, which demonstrated their brilliance and tenacity.
For the men’s gymnastics team from the United States, this well-deserved and well-celebrated bronze feels like gold and sets a positive precedent for upcoming contests.
