Nedoroscik’s outstanding performance on the pommel horse sparked the first medal in gymnastics for the Team USA men’s team since 2008, which is a fantastic achievement for the American gymnasts.
Nedoroscik is one of the breakout stars from this year’s Olympic Games, so let’s get to know him a bit more with his history with gymnastics and how he’s performed in the past leading up to this year’s Olympics.
Stephen Nedoroscik had to score big on pommel horse for Team USA in the last rotation…
— NBC Olympics & Paralympics (@NBCOlympics) July 29, 2024
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1. He started gymnastics in 2003
Nedoroscik has been active in gymnastics competition for more than two decades leading to the 2024 Paris Olympics.
James Lang/USA TODAY Sports
2. The pommel horse is his signature event
Nedoroscik has made his career out of competing on the pummel horse, going back to his high school gymnastics days.
Joseph Cress/Iowa City Press-Citizen
3. He attended Penn State and was part of its gymnastics team
While with the Nittany Lions, Nedoroscik won a NCAA National Championship on the pommel horse as a freshman in 2017 and won two national titles in total during his college days.
PHILIP FONG/AFP via Getty Images
4. He became a World Champion in 2021
Nedoroscik became the first United States gymnast to win gold at the Artistic Gymnastics World Championships on the pommel horse.
James Lang/USA TODAY Sports
5. This is his first Olympics
Nedoroscik’s trip to Paris is his first Olympic Games as a part of Team USA, bringing his ability to dominate the pummel horse to the global stage once more.
Stephen Nedoroscik is an ABSOLUTE DAWG, and as an unofficial card-holding member of the glasses-wearers coalition, I salute him.
It’s been so long since the U.S. won a medal in any team event for men’s gymnastics (Here’s exactly how long it’s been), and to win one during this year’s Paris Games, it was all down to one event: the pommel horse.
The U.S. is not exactly a powerhouse on the pommel, and they needed big performances from Paul Juda and Brody Malone to boost Team USA’s chances of winning a medal before Steve Nedoroscik took the floor. Both Juda and Malone came through with clutch scoring, setting the stage for Steve to go big or go home. AND HE DELIVERED.
Stephen Nedoroscik had to score big on pommel horse for Team USA in the last rotation…
I love this nerdy kid from Worcester who's at the Olympics just to do pommel horse and only pommel horse and he is literally Team USA's best chance at Olympic gold for just pommel horse. And today he's literally just hanging out until it's time for pommel horse. LOVE HIM. pic.twitter.com/GbQZUqb0SZ
I know nothing about gymnastics and here I am living and dying with whether this nerdy guy in glasses named Steve can pommel that horse. The Olympics are a curse.
Kerr shouldn’t feel obligated to give him that nod as long as Team USA stays winning, though.
Let’s take a step back: Tatum is obviously one of the best players in the world and he proven as much over and over again. But on this particular roster and scheme, he averaged just 0.72 points per possession in a set offense during the USA Basketball Showcase exhibition games.
That was the lowest on the team of anyone who had at least 10 opportunities, per Synergy, except for just Tyrese Haliburton. Neither he or Haliburton logged a minute during the game against Team Serbia.
Perhaps one reason for his struggles was a role adjustment. For example, when playing for the Celtics last season, the All-Star forward finished the majority of his offensive possessions as either the ball handler in pick-and-roll sets or one-on-on in isolation.
But on Team USA, his scoring opportunities playing for Steve Kerr mostly came off-ball on spot-up possessions or cutting to the basket. That requires a different mentality and it may take some time for Tatum to find that groove.
He may find it when he gets a chance on the court against South Sudan, but if he does not, then Kerr should continue to play those players who he feels will give him the best chance of winning.
Tatum is elite playing on or off the ball and there is plenty he can do beyond just scoring. He will likely find a role that makes sense on this team, even if it takes a bit longer than other players.
Chasing Dreams
(Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images)
Believe it or not, former NBA player Chase Budinger is competing in the Olympics as a beach volleyball star.
During his first match, he and his partner defeated France in straight sets. This is such a remarkable accomplishment and one that is probably not a big enough story right now.
Here’s how long it’s been since the U.S. took home a team medal in men’s gymastics.
It probably feels like it’s been so long since the U.S. won an Olympic team medal in any sort of men’s gymnastics event. If you’re here, you’re probably wondering one thing: *HOW LONG* has it been?
The answer is actually kind of daunting. It’s been 16 years. YES. 16 YEARS.
The last team medal was won by the United States in 2008 at the Beijing Olympics. Alexander “Sasha” Artemev helped the men’s squad take home a bronze medal with a fantastic pommel horse performance, very similar to the way Stephen Nedorosocik helped Team USA win a bronze medal Monday evening during the 2024 Paris Olympics.
Sounds pretty simple, right? I mean, it’s just one thing. Just come in and do some swings on the horse and you’re done! Easy.
But it’s not that simple at all.
Think about how things go for, say, NFL kickers. Or closing pitchers in the NFL. If that kick glides just slightly to the left, you’re cooked. If that curveball gets away from you just a bit, you’re done. The ball is going yard.
Now think about what Nedoroscik had riding on this. He didn’t need to just complete his routine on the horse — he needed to nail it. The men’s U.S. gymnastics team had a whole medal riding on this. The team’s first medal in 16 years.
And guess what he did? Nailed it. LOOK AT MY BOY. He took those glasses off and turned into Superman.
Stephen Nedoroscik had to score big on pommel horse for Team USA in the last rotation…
Katie Grimes is set to make American Olympic history in the pool and in the Seine River.
For the Paris Olympics this summer, For The Win is helping you get to know some of the star Olympians competing on the world’s biggest stage. We’re highlighting 15 Team USA athletes in the 15 days leading up to the Opening Ceremony. Up next is Katie Grimes.
Katie Grimes is a special swimmer, and if fans didn’t know her before the 2024 Paris Olympics, they surely will after. The Las Vegas native is an exceptionally versatile distance swimmer — one who will go up against legendary distance swimmer Katie Ledecky — and her swimming goals for the Paris Games go way beyond the pool.
So ahead of the Paris Olympics, here are five things to know about Grimes.
1. At 18 years old, Katie Grimes is already a two-time Olympian
Jul 31, 2021; Tokyo, Japan; Katie Grimes (USA), right) rests next to Katie Ledecky (USA) as Ledecky reacts to winning the women’s 800m freestyle final during the Tokyo 2021 Olympic Summer Games at Tokyo Aquatics Centre. Mandatory Credit: Grace Hollars-USA TODAY Sports
Not unheard of in swimming, but a teenage two-time Olympian is still rare. At the 2021 Tokyo Olympics, Grimes swam one event — the 800-meter freestyle. She finished fourth behind Ledecky, who won her third straight Olympic championship in the event.
For Paris, Grimes not only dropped the 800 altogether, but she added a wide variety of events to her schedule. But more on that in a second.
2. Grimes will be the first American woman to compete in the pool and open water events at the same Olympic Games
UPDATE: Katie Grimes won a silver medal Monday in the 400 IM for her first Olympic hardware. She also swam in the 1,500 heats Tuesday morning but didn’t make the top-8 final. So, onto the Seine (possibly).
Grimes will also make history as the first American woman to compete in both the pool and open water at the same Olympics.
When the pool competition ends — Grimes’ last potential final is the 1,500 on July 31 — her attention will fully turn to the open water competition, a 10k marathon swim. The 10k open water races are set to happen in the Seine River, but Olympics organizers said they have backup dates and an alternate venue, should the river be too dirty to swim in.
Incredible versatility when her shortest Olympic race will be less than five minutes while her longest is about two hours.
3. Grimes knows where she’ll swim in college… but we don’t
Katie Grimes of the United States competes in a preliminary heat for the Women’s 400m individual medley on Day Three of the 2024 U.S. Olympic Team Swimming Trials at Lucas Oil Stadium on June 17, 2024 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)
At 18 years old, Grimes just graduated from high school and is a coveted recruit with swimming news site SwimSwam ranking her as the top high school swimmer last year.
Grimes recently told For The Win she’s made a decision on college, but she also said she’ll likely wait until after the Olympics to announce it.
4. Grimes is an old soul with a love for classic cars, including her orange 1969 Chevy Corvette Stingray
In addition to her love of classic rock, especially Fleetwood Mac, Grimes is a big fan of classic cars.
“My favorite classic car is the Chevy Corvette Stingray,” Grimes said. “It had been my dream car for so long, and so I’ve been on market looking for one all over the place for, like ever. And I finally found the perfect one, and I was able to buy it. And it’s just so cool to have it, and every time I see it in the garage, I’m like, ‘I can’t believe I have that.'”
5. Grimes’ historic Olympic journey begins on July 29
Swimming at the Paris Olympics starts Saturday, July 27, but Grimes’ first event will be the 400 IM heats (and presumably, final) on Monday, July 29. Her 1,500 heats are set for Tuesday, July 30 with the final the following day. And the women’s open water 10k marathon swim is set for Thursday, August 8.
The USA is one step away from its first Olympic knockout appearance since 2000
Having returned to the Olympics for the first time in 16 years, the U.S. under-23 men’s national team can now accomplish something it hasn’t for 24 years.
A 4-1 win over New Zealand on Saturday has put the U.S. in great position to advance to its first Olympics knockout stage since 2000, and do so for just the second time since the current group stage format was introduced at the 1960 Olympics.
The U.S. started the tournament with a 3-0 defeat to France, but rebounded with an emphatic victory over the Kiwis to put its destiny into its own hands heading into Tuesday’s group-stage finale against Guinea.
The match in Saint-Étienne seems on paper to be the easiest of the three group-stage games, with Guinea having lost to both New Zealand and France, and entering this match with only the faintest hope of progression to the quarterfinal.
How can the USMNT advance?
The top two teams in each group will advance to the quarterfinals after round-robin play, with the USA entering the final round of group matches in second place.
A win over Guinea would guarantee the U.S. passage to the quarterfinals, while a draw combined with either a New Zealand draw or loss to France would also see the USA advance.
Marko Mitrović’s side could also advance with a loss if France defeats New Zealand. In that scenario, the USA, New Zealand and Guinea would all be on three points and tiebreakers would come into play.
Olympic soccer tiebreakers
The following, in order, are how ties on points between teams in Olympic soccer will be resolved.
Goal difference in all group matches
Goals scored in all group matches
Points obtained in matches between teams tied on points
Goal difference in matches between teams tied on points
Goals scored in matches between teams tied on points
Best team disciplinary conduct score (yellow cards and red cards received)
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Every golfer has different ways of preparing for the Olympics.
Every golfer has different ways of preparing for the Olympics.
Ben An went home to Florida while Tom Kim stayed in London. Scottie Scheffler vacationed a bit in France and has been enjoying the Olympic experience and Paris with his family.
For Rory McIlroy, his prep involves the home of golf.
McIlroy was one of the favorites two weeks ago at Royal Troon before missing the cut, and video surfaced Monday of him playing the Old Course at St. Andrews only 72 hours before he’s set to tee it up for Ireland in the Olympic games at Le Golf National in Paris.
Rory McIlroy is preparing for @OlympicGolf in Paris with a round on The Old Course at St Andrews this afternoon.
The men’s golf competition is set to begin Thursday at the site of the 2018 Ryder Cup. McIlroy went 2-3-0 in Paris that year with the Europeans coming out on top.
It’s nothing new for McIlroy to show up to events only a couple of days before they begin. It’s something he has done numerous times this year, including major championship weeks.
He even had some fun with some inebriated fans near the clubhouse.
Former UGA swimmer wins silver medal in the Paris Olympics and finishes 0.03 seconds from winning gold
Former Georgia Bulldogs standout swimmer Nic Fink won a silver medal at the 2024 Paris Olympics. Fink, who represents Team USA, tied Great Britain’s Adam Peaty to win a silver medal in the 100 meter breaststroke event.
Fink and Peaty came inches from securing gold. Fink and Peaty both finished with times of 59.05. The gold medal winner, Italy’s Nicolo Martinenghi won with a time of 59.03.
The 100 meter breaststroke is Fink’s only individual event at the Olympic Games.
“With Adam (Peaty), he’s a legend in the sport. To share the podium with him, let alone the silver medal, it’s an awesome experience,” said Fink after claiming second place. “And to see Nicolo there as well, it’s really fun.”
Nic Fink competes (USA) in the men’s 100-meter breaststroke final during the Paris 2024 Olympic Summer Games at Paris La Défense Arena. Grace Hollars-USA TODAY Sports
Fink is one of over 30 current and former Georgia Bulldogs that are competing in the Paris Games. Fink recently earned a master’s degree in engineering at Georgia Tech. He works a 9-to-5 job as an assistant project manager in addition to training for swimming. Fink, who is 31, lives in Dallas, Texas.
One of the most interesting stories of the summer is that former NBA player Chase Budinger is an Olympian in an entirely different sport.
Budinger, who was named Co-MVP of the McDonald’s All-American Game with Kevin Durant in 2006, played basketball professionally from 2009 until 2017.
After spending one year hooping overseas after retiring from the NBA, he began to focus on a different sport. He now represents Team USA in beach volleyball.
This didn’t come out of nowhere, though, as Budinger led his high school La Costa Canyon to win three state volleyball championships in California.
He was also named as the Mizuno National Player of the Year by Volleyball Magazine. Now an Olympian, he and his doubles partner Miles Evans won their first match against France in straight sets.
Former NBA player Chase Budinger just won his FIRST match at the #Olympics as a member of Team USA men's beach volleyball 🇺🇸🏐 pic.twitter.com/PHp55j3WW1
