Gymnast Frederick Richard's latest challenge is attempting to change his sport's strict dress code

Boston Globe

6 hours ago

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To which we say, bravo.
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The 21-year-old once again put action behind his words at the recent US championships, switching the traditional stirrup pants, unitards or short shorts for a combination of compression leggings, gym shorts, and jersey style sleeveless tops, clothing he feels is more comfortable, 'cooler,' and more likely to resonate with young, male gymnasts he hopes to inspire.
Just as we advocate for women seeking change against
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'I think what he's doing is fantastic because it's bringing attention to our sport, which is desperately needed,' said Matt Carbone, a girls' competitive team coach and general manager at Sterling Gym. 'He'll find some success down the way but he's exploring new ideas, which is what we need. It may work, may not, but at least he's trying.
'The athletes that look up to him are definitely appreciative of what he's trying to do.'
On a recent episode of the 'Neutral Deductions' podcast, Richard explained, 'Our sport has so much further to go and if we're not willing to take risks and try new things even if they're not the right things, then why am I dedicating my life to this? That's why I want to try new things even if there are consequences.'
Frederick Richard is trying to change the strict dress code of gymnastics.
Gerald Herbert/Associated Press
And there were consequences. Measurably, a three-10ths deduction each day as required by FIG, the international gymnastics federation. Richard insisted after a second-place finish (it wouldn't have changed without the deduction), 'it's 1,000 percent worth it. If you look at these kids in the crowd, I'm thinking about them and I'm thinking about when I was younger.'
That kid wanted to look cool, but in saying as much, Richard risks blowback from those who question if painting old uniforms as too feminine is inherently homophobic or misogynistic. But Richard, who speaks from his own life experience as a boy doing what was perceived as a female-dominated sport, has never made comments to that effect. He just remembers wanting to like his workout gear.
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'If I left the gym to go to the gas station, I didn't want anybody to see me in my pommel horse pants,' Richard said at the recent championships. 'Kids would say, 'Do you do gymnastics?' I'd say, 'Yeah.' But I didn't want them to search 'gymnast' and see the uniform. I didn't feel like it was cool.'
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With his youth and deftness at all things social media — TikTok, Instagram, YouTube, et al — Richard is well-positioned to be in this generation of influencer athletes and help the sport grow. That's where the uniform motivation comes from.
As he continues to point out, there is no final product yet in his work with the apparel company Turn, and he is constantly taking in feedback from other gymnasts, coaches, judges or fans. He knows how important it is for judges to be able to see the body's form as it performs routines, that the lines of the torso not be lost in baggy clothes. And he's not asking for any of the traditional versions to be eliminated, only that gymnasts have choices. Such as the German women who incorporated full-length unitards into their uniform choices, or USA Gymnastics' decision to allow girls to wear bike shorts over their leotards, there are ways to satisfy all parties.
The athletes should have a voice and the right to feel comfortable. From women who are overly sexualized in skimpy beach volleyball outfits or high-cut leotards to swimmers who went from speedos to unitards, change can be found in progress and progress can be found in change. Good for Richard for leading the way.
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Tara Sullivan is a Globe columnist. She can be reached at