The US gymnastics team sent fans into a frenzy of joy on Monday when they won their first medal since 2008.
A place in the top three was already assured when specialist Stephen Nedoroscik performed his routine with the horse vaulting, the only event he participated in.
And the 25-year-old performed his routine with aplomb, winning a bronze medal for the US.
Nedoroscik and his teammates clearly understood the importance of the moment as they lifted him into the air after his drill as he clenched his fists.
His parents were also seen in the crowd cheering him on, with his mother proudly wearing a Penn State cap (Nedoroscik attended that school).
Brody Malone, Asher Hong, Fred Richard, Paul Juda and Stephen Nedoroscik celebrate winning a gold medal for Team USA on Monday
Nedoroscik’s parents cheered after their son mastered his pommel horse routine on Monday
The US fans were extremely proud of the team’s medal win and showed this through X.
“Can you imagine having to wait through 6 events for THE one event that you were brought to the Olympics for? The pressure,” said one said from Nedoroscik’s final performance.[Way to go]!!!!! The whole team got 18/18 routines. Crazy!
“He took off his Clark Kent glasses and turned into Superman,” said another, winking at the bespectacled gymnast.
“He handled that pressure like a true Olympian,” added another.
While Nedoroscik was in the spotlight toward the end of his team’s victory, his teammates Brody Malone, Asher Hong, Fred Richard and Paul Juda also played important roles. The five held up the American flag afterward.
Nedoroscik was lifted up by his teammates after his pommel horse routine won bronze
American fans proudly held the American flag aloft at the Bercy Arena in Paris, France on Monday
Juda also performed a huge pommel horse routine for Nedoroscik, while Richard took center stage on the floor, rings and high bar.
Malone played his part in the rings and horizontal bar finals, while Hong went all out after his vault routine.
However, the US’s success came at the expense of Great Britain, who finished fourth and narrowly missed out on a medal.
Japan won the gold in the men’s event, while China came second.