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As previously noted, the U.S. men’s gymnastics team hadn’t won a team medal since the 2008 Olympics—and hasn’t won a gold medal since the 1984 games. In each of the past three Summer Olympics, the Americans have finished fifth.
While women’s gymnastics remains a marquee sport in the U.S., things have waned on the men’s side of things. That’s why taking home any medal in Paris was big for the men’s team.
Led by national champion Brody Malone, Stephen Nedoroscik, Frederick Richard, Paul Juda and Asher Hong, the Americans had a terrific group performance, ultimately edging out Great Britain for third place.
Malone competed in five of six events, while Nedoroscik delivered a clutch performance on pommel horse to secure a trip to the podium.
The bronze win was largely the result of a change in approach by USA Gymnastics coaches. In previous years, Team USA’s routines simply weren’t difficult enough, and coaches looked to change that.
“In an effort to boost the team’s difficulty score, USA Gymnastics used a complicated bonus system that encouraged athletes to demonstrate upgraded skills,” Thuc Nhi Nguyen of the Los Angeles Times wrote.
By offering a bonus system that rewarded more difficult skills and helped offset falls during the team-selection process, they found a squad that could truly compete on the biggest stage. Fortunately, it executed.
And while winning a bronze during an Olympics that features 329 medal events might not seem like a big deal, it’s huge for the American men’s gymnastics landscape.