U.S. gymnast Stephen Nedoroscik, a mechanical engineer by trade, wears glasses, which is a rarity among athletes competing at the 2024 Paris Olympics. Despite wearing glasses, Nedoroscik competes on the pommel horse without them, showcasing a dazzling routine that contributed to Team USA winning the bronze medal in the team final. His transformation from a mild-mannered engineer to a powerful athlete on the pommel horse has drawn comparisons to Clark Kent turning into Superman when he removes his glasses. Nedoroscik has embraced the memes and views himself as representing people who wear glasses well.
Nedoroscik shared in an interview that when he competes without glasses, things are not necessarily clear for him. However, when performing on the pommel horse, it is all about feeling the equipment and the movement is based on sensing rather than seeing. Nedoroscik revealed that he has strabismus, a condition that affects eye muscles and causes the eyes to not line up properly. Strabismus can lead to loss of depth perception, blurry vision, or double vision. Glasses or contacts can help manage the condition but surgery and other treatments may be necessary in severe cases.
In addition to strabismus, Nedoroscik also has coloboma, a genetic condition where some eye tissue is missing at birth. This condition can impact one or both eyes, causing symptoms such as light sensitivity, vision loss, or blindness. While there is no cure for coloboma, glasses, contact lenses, or low vision aids can help manage the symptoms. Nedoroscik has opened up about living with coloboma and being photophobic due to the condition, which may explain why he has borrowed sunglasses from others to help with light sensitivity.
Although Nedoroscik primarily competes without glasses, he occasionally wears sports goggles for “superstitious reasons.” These goggles, known as “The Specs,” have become somewhat of a trademark for him and are considered a good luck charm. While they do not have prescription lenses and are purely for fun, Nedoroscik finds comfort in wearing them and believes they bring a bit of magic to his performances. Peacock is streaming the Paris Olympics around the clock, and fans can learn more about accessing the coverage through various accounts.
Nedoroscik’s unique journey as a gymnast who wears glasses but competes without them on the pommel horse has captured the attention of fans and spectators. His willingness to embrace his visual challenges and compete at a high level despite them is inspiring to many. By sharing his experiences with conditions like strabismus and coloboma, Nedoroscik is raising awareness and showing that individuals with visual impairments can excel in sports. Through his dedication, talent, and positive attitude, Nedoroscik is representing not only athletes who wear glasses but also those who face similar visual obstacles.
