Frederick Richard is Taking His Fight to Make Gymnastics ‘Cool’ To a New Front: His Uniform

August 11, 2025

Olympic bronze medalist Frederick Richard is challenging men's gymnastics uniform rules by wearing shorts with compression leggings instead of traditional stirrup pants at the U.S. Championships, despite receiving a 0. 3 point deduction each competition day. Richard believes modernizing the uniform is essential to make gymnastics more appealing to young boys who might otherwise abandon the sport for alternatives they consider "cooler.

Who is affected

Young male gymnasts and potential gymnasts who might find traditional stirrup pants unappealing
Frederick Richard, who receives point deductions for his uniform choice
The broader U.S. men's gymnastics community facing declining participation
Gymnastics judges who must enforce uniform rules
Spectators and fans, particularly young boys in the audience who Richard hopes to influence
International governing bodies like FIG who maintain uniform regulations

What action is being taken

Frederick Richard is wearing shorts with compression leggings instead of traditional stirrup pants during competitions
Richard is accepting a 0.3 point deduction per competition day to make his statement
Richard is promoting his alternative uniform design created with the apparel company Turn
Richard is actively advocating for uniform modernization while continuing to compete
Richard is partnering with Uganda to open a facility for boys interested in acrobatics

Why it matters

Men's gymnastics in the U.S. has experienced decades of declining popularity
The number of Division I programs offering men's gymnastics scholarships has dramatically decreased
Traditional uniforms may discourage young boys from continuing in the sport
Richard believes uniform modernization could make gymnastics more appealing and accessible to youth
The sport faces competition from other activities that young boys may perceive as "cooler"
Men's gymnastics programs in the U.S. compete in the shadow of the more successful women's program
Uniform restrictions represent broader challenges in modernizing and growing the sport

What's next

Richard will have time to consider his approach for international competitions, as he was not named to the six-man roster for the 2025 World Championships
Richard stated "I'll wear it for the next 10 years if I have to" indicating his long-term commitment to this cause
Richard hopes younger gymnasts will adopt his style, creating a trend that might eventually influence the FIG to change its rules

Read full article from source: The San Diego Voice & Viewpoint