Ever thought about what it really means to be a Black Olympian repping the U.S.? It’s not just about stacking medals and making highlight reels—there are real struggles, too. Even Simone Biles, the GOAT of gymnastics, has dealt with discrimination just for being a Black athlete. And for Black male athletes? Same struggles! But do they let it stop them? Nope. They just keep showing up and showing out. Take Fred Richard, a 20-year-old athlete for example.
Not only is he a Black athlete, but he’s also in men’s gymnastics—a sport that barely gets the hype it deserves. And let’s be real, that’s no easy feat when most people still think gymnastics is just “that thing Simone Biles does.” But Fred? He’s flipping, swinging, and sticking landings like it’s his job because, well, it is. “When I grew up, I wanted to be the superhero of gymnastics, just doing things that no one thought was possible,” he says. And with an Olympic medal in his pocket, he’s well on his way—though let’s just say the road hasn’t exactly been paved with soft landings.
Since he was two years old Fred Richard exhibited his abilities through twisting and flipping as well as standing on his feet. Once Fred developed a curiosity for the gymnastic stunts he saw his older sister perform at class his parents enrolled him in gymnastics programs. “I think if you asked my parents, they’d tell you I was destined to stand out,” he says. Mission accomplished. Richard competes as a University of Michigan gymnast while establishing gymnastics as a more inclusive sport.“Growing up as a Black athlete in gymnastics, you are for sure the minority,” he admits. “When you’re young, you definitely question if you’re in the right place.”
Being one of the few Black gymnasts, Richard faced microaggressions, from peers asking about slavery to testing offensive jokes. (Spoiler: not okay.) Instead of letting it shake him, he credits his parents for teaching him how to navigate it.“It’s just kids learning,” he says. “You have to teach them. My parents were there from the start, educating me before I even had to ask.” Then there was the issue of representation—or lack thereof.
Well, we know Fred used to train at Massachusetts Elite Gymnastics Academy in childhood. At his gym, there were, as he puts it, “There’s five boys in the gym with 100 kids, 90 girls.” Not exactly the easiest place to blend in. And if that wasn’t enough, men’s gymnastics doesn’t get much attention. Then there’s the added challenge of being a Black gymnast in a sport that hasn’t exactly been known for its diversity—especially on the men’s side.”You’ve got struggles where you’re the only Black kid competing.” Oh, and let’s not forget the uniforms. “You’re struggling with this restricted, uncomfortable uniform,” he said. Now, Richard is looking to shake things up, announcing plans to challenge traditional gymnastics attire.
Fred Richard turns the tables and heads
Instead of letting these challenges push him out of the sport, the Boston native is using them as fuel. “I want to make that statement of saying you can get to the very top, be the best in the world, win gold medals,” he says. He delivers his message to young people through his popular videos which amass millions of views on social media platforms. “There’s a lot of Black kids that wanted to get into the sport or don’t know how to or kind of don’t have someone to look up to,” he told NBC News. “Just to learn about me see what I’m doing, kind of get inspired that’s pretty crazy to think about and see.” The high expenses of gymnastics motivate him to develop strategies that will lower the barriers to participation.
The majority of school funds support basketball and football initiatives while gymnastics remains a marginalized sport. The goal of Richard is to modify funding distribution in gymnastics since many young gymnasts choose different sports due to financial constraints. But his next mission? A gymnastics fashion revolution. Richard has his sights set on shaking up the sport’s very restrictive uniform rules—because, as he puts it, “Why are we in tights? Why do we look like this?” Ahead of the 2025 Winter Cup, he announced his plan to ditch the traditional pommel horse pants, unitards, and tight tank tops for something more comfortable—even though it means losing points in the competition. But it does come at a cost!
Of course, he knows not everyone will be on board. “I’m going to be deducted for wearing this uniform,” he admitted. “So I’ll have to still perform really well—I’m going to have to pop off so I can still win.” But that’s the thing about Fred Richard—whether he’s breaking stereotypes, challenging outdated norms, or casually flipping through the air, he’s not just competing in gymnastics. He’s changing it.
The post Fred Richard Exposes Harsh Reality of Men’s Gymnastics As American Star Owns Up to Childhood Struggles appeared first on EssentiallySports.