Olympic pommel horse medalist Stephen Nedoroscik announced as competitor for "Dancing With The Stars"

Every four years, the Olympics showcase a variety of talented athletes as they show that they are among the best competitors in the world, representing their countries as they strive to win Olympic medals. Making the podium is a true honor, and whether it’s bronze for third, silver for second, or gold for first, being an Olympic medalist is a true honor. 

This summer at the Olympic games in Paris, France, gymnast Stephen Nedoroscik became a viral sensation with his incredible talent on the pommel horse aparatus.

He helped lead the men’s US gymnastics team to the bronze medal, the first medal in the men's team events for the US since 2008. He also won the bronze medal as an individual for his fantastic abilities on the pommel horse. 

Nicknamed, “Pommel Horse Guy”, Nedoroscik captured the hearts of the nation with his talent and now the 25-year old athlete looks to win another prize. 

He has been the first contestant announced for the 33rd season of the popular ABC show, Dancing with the Stars, a competition program that features professional dancers pairing up with celebrities as they perform different routines.

The pair with the least amount of votes from fans are eliminated from the competition every week. The last pair standing wins the Dancing with the Stars crown. 

While the rest of the cast won’t be revealed until a later date, Variety has shared that “Alfonso Ribeiro and Julianne Hough will return as co-hosts for the upcoming seasons as Carrie Ann Inaba, Bruno Tonioli, and Derek Hough will return to the judges’ table.” 

The season will air on September 17 at 8pm, “simulcasting on ABC and Disney+, with next-day viewing on Hulu.” 

Nedoroscik’s ability to remove his glasses and perform such a marvelous pommel horse routine earned him the nickname of, “the Clark Kent of pommel horse,” as proclaimed from an official Olympics social media account.

With the attention he’s gotten, he uses his platform in a positive way, supporting those with low vision, as Nedoroscik himself lives with strabismus, something that he has previously revealed on his TikTok.

When he’s competing and is not in his glasses, Nedoroscik explained what he sees when he is on the pommel horse.

In an interview with Today, as reported by Variety, Nedoroscik said, “It’s not necessarily clear, but the thing about pommel horse is if I keep them on, they’re gonna fly somewhere,” he said. “When I go up on the pommel horse, it’s all about feeling the equipment. I don’t even really see when I’m doing my gymnastics. It’s all in the hands — I can feel everything.”

This won’t be the first time an Olympic medalist competed on Dancing with the Stars, and not the first time for a gymnast either. Previously, gymnast Shawn Johnson won in 2009, becoming the first Olympic gymnast to appear on the program, and came in second place on an all-star edition of the show in 2012. 

Other gymnasts who competed in Dancing with the Stars include Aly Raisman, who finished in 4th place in 2013, Nastia Liukin, who finished 4th in 2015, Laurie Hernandez won in 2016, and Simone Biles finished in 4th in 2017. 

Olympic ice skaters and dancers have also had an impact on Dancing with the Stars, with Kristi Yamagucuchi winning the competion in 2008, followed by Evan Lysacek finishing in second place in 2010, Charlie White finishing in 5th place in 2014, and Meryl Davis, White's ice dance partner, winning that 2014 season.

In addition, Nancy Kerrigan finished in 6th place in 2017, and Johnny Weir finished 6th in 2020.  

Here's wishing the best to Nedoroscik as he competes for another prize--the title of winner of Dancing with the Stars.