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Olympic gymnast dubbed 'Clark Kent' goes insanely viral with secret message

Team USA gymnast Stephen Nedoroscik explained the touching significance behind his ear tug greeting on the 'TODAY' show.

Jane LaCroix

USA gymnast Stephen Nedoroscik reacts after performing on the pommel horse during the Paris 2024 Olympic Summer Games at Bercy Arena.
USA gymnast Stephen Nedoroscik reacts after performing on the pommel horse during the Paris 2024 Olympic Summer Games at Bercy Arena. / Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports

Team USA gymnast Stephen Nedoroscik caught viewers’ attention on the TODAY show from Paris with a slight tug at his ear while waving hello. 

The athlete, who hails from Worcester, Massachusetts explained in a video that the small gesture holds deep meaning for him. He went on to say how it’s a signal to his late grandfather, “dziadziu,” which means “grandfather” in Polish. 

The video was posted on the morning show’s X account (formerly known as Twitter) on Tuesday, July 30.

The 25-year-old has become a breakout star at this year’s Olympic Games. He shared with TODAY that the ear tug has always been a way to say hello to his grandfather, Stephen John Nedoroscik, who passed away last year at age 94. 

“I’ve kept the tradition up and now it always means, ‘Hey,’ to everyone that I love,” he said in the  behind-the-scenes video. “He’s a World War II vet and my idol,” Nedoroscik also mentioned in the video backstage at the 2024 Paris Olympics. 

Reflecting on his college days, he added, “When I was at Penn State, that was the thing that I did whenever I was on TV to say, ‘Hey Dziadziu.’” He also revealed he is named after his grandfather as well.

Nedoroscik became a viral sensation and American hero after helping the men’s gymnastics team secure a bronze medal with a flawless pommel horse routine on Monday, July 29, marking the team’s first Olympic medal in 16 years.

His calm demeanor on the sidelines quickly turned into a viral meme. One fan tweeted, “Stephen Nedoroscik with and without the glasses makes that whole Superman/Clark Kent thing seem more plausible.”

Another fan said, “This Stephen Nedoroscik dude is like Clark Kent by day and Superman of Pommel Horse by competition.”

Appearing on the Tuesday, July 30 episode of the TODAY show, the Olympian said he thinks the memes “are awesome,” and that he’s “representing people that wear glasses well.”

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Jane LaCroix

JANE LACROIX

Jane is an entertainment writer and social media manager based in the U.S. specializing in viral trends and celebrity news. She has contributed to notable platforms like PEOPLE, Ranker, and HollywoodLife. Jane started contributing to Sports Illustrated: The Athlete Lifestyle in 2024.