Gymnast Fred Richards Sacrifices Points for Uniform Revolution at U.S. Championships
ORLANDO, FL – August 10, 2024 – Fred Richards’ pursuit of modernizing men’s gymnastics uniforms cost him valuable points at the U.S. Gymnastics Championships, held August 9, 2024, but the athlete remains steadfast in his belief that the change is vital for the sport’s future. Despite deductions, Richards secured a silver medal in the senior men’s all-around competition.
The Championships, a key qualifying event for the upcoming World Championships, saw Richards finish with a combined score of 162.555.While a top-two finish typically guarantees a spot on the World team,the ample margin of victory by Asher kong-who scored 170.020-and the unique format of the World Championships’ individual events, may impact Richards’ selection. The 7.465-point difference represents the largest margin of victory in USA Gymnastics history, for both male and female competitors.
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Richards faced a 0.6-point deduction over the two days of competition for wearing gray shorts with leggings, a departure from the traditionally required stirrup pants. The penalties occurred despite a strong performance though he struggled with landings and consistency on the frist day, placing fourth and trailing the leader by approximately six points. He needed near-perfect routines on the second day to contend for the title.
When questioned about whether the risk of point deductions was worth the effort to modernize the sport’s attire, Richards responded emphatically: “It’s 1,000% worth it. If you look at these kids in the crowd, I’m thinking about them, and I’m thinking about when I was younger.”
Men’s gymnastics uniforms have remained largely unchanged for decades, frequently enough criticized for being restrictive and visually outdated. Richards’ initiative aims to attract a new generation of athletes and fans by presenting a more contemporary and accessible image of the sport. The decision regarding Richards’ inclusion on the World Championships team is expected in the coming weeks.
