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New York Post
The secret meaning of pommel horse Olympian Stephen Nedoroscik’s on-air signal
By Ryan Glasspiegel,
4 hours ago
Olympic pommel horse hero Stephen Nedoroscik has revealed the meaning of his ear tug signal.
Nedoroscik, 25, appeared in a social media video for NBC’s “TODAY” show and said the gesture was in homage to his “dziadziu,” pronounced DJAH-djoo and meaning grandfather in Polish.
The gymnast was named after his grandfather, Stephen John Nedoroscik, who died last year at 94 years old.
Stephen Nedoroscik, of United States, reacts after the pommel horse during the men’s artistic gymnastics team finals round at Bercy Arena at the 2024 Summer Olympics on July 29, 2024, in Paris, France. AP Stephen Nedoroscik revealed his ear gesture at the Olympics was an homage to his late grandfather. James Lang-USA TODAY Sports
“I’ve kept the tradition up and now it always means, ‘Hey,’ to everyone that I love,” the gymnast said.
He further explained the bond with his grandfather in an interview with a “TODAY” producer.
Stephen Nedoroscik, of United States, is lifted by teammates after pommel horse during the men’s artistic gymnastics team finals round at Bercy Arena at the 2024 Summer Olympics July 29, 2024, in Paris, France. AP
“He’s a World War II vet and my idol,” Nedoroscik said. “When I was at Penn State, that was the thing that I did whenever I was on TV to say, ‘Hey Dziadziu.’”
Nedoroscik was a unique addition to the team because he specializes in the pommel horse, whereas it is rare for participants not to compete in multiple events.
Nedoroscik became a viral meme this week as he appeared to be deep in meditation while he was preparing for competition.
Team USA from left to right: Brody Malone, Asher Hong, Fred Richard, Paul Juda and Stephen Nedoroscik celebrate their bronze medal during the men’s artistic gymnastics team finals round at Bercy Arena at the 2024 Summer Olympics on July 29, 2024, in Paris, France. AP Stephen Nedoroscik, of United States, performs on the pommel during the men’s artistic gymnastics team finals round at Bercy Arena at the 2024 Summer Olympics on July 29, 2024, in Paris, France. AP
“I’m doing my breathing exercises,” the gymnast explained to “TODAY” hosts Hoda Kotb and Savannah Guthrie on Tuesday. “We always try to keep our heart rate down and through that five minutes I’m sitting there, I’m just visualizing my routine over and over … that’s all I’m doing in my head.”
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