Olympian Fred Richard Aims For Backflip World Record To Benefit African Gymnasts
On May 2, one of the nation's top male gymnasts will flip for a cause.
Fred Richard, known for leading Team USA to the bronze medal at the 2024 Paris Olympics, will attempt to break the Guinness World Record for most standing backflips completed in 24 hours.
The Massachusetts native will attempt the record at roughly 5 p.m. ET at Premier Gymnastics in Stoughton, his hometown. Richard and his team have indicated that a livestream will be available on various social media platforms.
The Olympic and World medalist's stunt isn't just for bragging rights.
Richard hopes to generate donations upwards of $100,000 to bring gymnastics equipment to children in Africa.
Over the past months, Richard has created social media content highlighting the gymnastics skills of gymnasts from Clon Circus Uganda, a foundation "dedicated to supporting street kids and orphans in finding purpose and a brighter future.
Through a series of social media posts, Richard highlighted the discrepancies between his training equipment and the training facilities for the athletes at Clon Circus. While U.S. athletes have mats and state-of-the-art equipment, the Clon Circus athletes attempt complex gymnastics skills on dirt.
'We all have potential, it's the environment we're in that determines the outcome,' Richard posted, supported by videos of talented Clon Circus gymnasts.
The Frederick Flips Foundation has opened a GoFundMe dedicated to harvesting contributions before and during Friday's event. As of Thursday evening, the fundraiser has raised just under $10,000.
'Right now, many of these talented young athletes train on makeshift setups like tires and other unsafe surfaces,' the fundraiser reads. 'With your help, we can change that and give them the resources they need to reach their full potential.'
The foundation works in partnership with the Dominican Health and Education Initiative (DAHEI). It specifies that donations 'will go toward securing gymnastics equipment and a facility for the kids to train.'
One of the most successful American male gymnasts in recent history, Richard continues to accumulate accolades within his sport.
Last month, Richard helped the University of Michigan Men's Gymnastics team to its seventh NCAA National Championship. He also clinched the men's all-around title over 2024 Olympic teammate Paul Juda.
In 2023, Richard became the first American man to medal in the individual all-around at the World Championships since 2010. He also played a pivotal role in clinching the first World medal for the U.S. men's team since 2014.
Richard is also a social media sensation. Widely considered the most prominent male gymnastics influencer in the world, he boasts a combined 1.5 million followers on Instagram and TikTok. In 2024, Time honored Richard as one of the most influential emerging stars in popular culture.
Before he achieved mainstream status at the Paris Olympics, Bloomberg reported that Richard earned "roughly $6,000 a month from social media platforms.' He has worked with prominent brands like Crocs, Celsius Energy Drinks, and Peloton, but also owns an apparel line, Frederick Flips.
On Friday, Richard hopes to channel his staggering following into tangible change.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
39 minutes ago
- Yahoo
J.K. Rowling Reignites Calls To Strip lmane Khelif Of Olympic Gold Over Leaked Medical Reports
"Harry Potter" author J.K. Rowling has spoken out again against Algerian boxer Imane Khelif following a leaked report alleging she is biologically male. Despite being disqualified by the IBA in 2023, Khelif competed and won gold at the Paris 2024 Olympics based on her female ID. Besides J.K. Rowling, Imane Khelif also received backlash and criticism from several other notable figures, including Elon Musk, , and President Donald Trump. Rowling has reignited the gender and sport debate by supporting calls to revoke Olympic gold from Algerian boxer Imane Khelif, following a leaked medical report that allegedly identifies the athlete as biologically male. In her post, Rowling wrote: "It's a win for women because they won't be battered to death in the ring by men." She added: "If you had any idea what physical tests women go through routinely in their lives, you'd know a cheek swab is no bigger deal than flossing your teeth. Any more moronic questions, wing them over." British media personality also spoke out about the alleged test result, writing, "The biology-denying woke brigade abused and shamed me for saying it was outrageous and dangerous for Khelif to be beating up women at the Olympics. I'm ready for their apology, but won't hold my breath." The leaked medical document dated March 17, 2023, allegedly confirmed Khelif's male chromosomal profile and links directly to Khelif's removal from a competition in 2023, when the International Boxing Association (IBA) disqualified her over "failing gender eligibility tests." Despite IBA's disqualification, Khelif went on to compete at the Paris Olympics, where she claimed gold in the women's category. Her eligibility at the time was reportedly based on her self-identified gender and possession of a female passport. The leaked results, which became publicly available following their release by journalist Alan Abrahamson on the 3 Wire Sports website, describe Khelif's chromosome pattern as "male karyotype" and categorize the findings as "abnormal." According to the Daily Mail, the test was reportedly carried out at Dr Lal PathLabs in New Delhi, an internationally certified laboratory recognized by the American College of Pathologists and ISO standards. Rowling's remarks and those of other famous critics of Khelif have led to fresh calls for the Algerian boxer's gold medal to be revoked. The revelation of the leaked medical report comes on the heels of World Boxing's recent decision requiring Imane Khelif to undergo sex verification testing to remain eligible for future participation in women's boxing events. The emergence of the document also casts doubt on previous statements made by IOC spokesperson Mark Adams, who had downplayed the legitimacy and implications of the test during a press conference at the Paris Olympics. At the time, Adams dismissed the 2023 test results as unreliable, calling them "ad hoc" and lacking legitimacy. "Those tests are not legitimate tests," he said. "The tests themselves, the process of the tests, the ad hoc nature of the tests are not legitimate." Adams added: "The testing, the method of the testing, the idea of the testing, which happened kind of overnight. None of it is legitimate, and this does not deserve any response." World Boxing imposed an indefinite suspension on Khelif, barring her from competing in the women's division at any of its sanctioned events, including the upcoming Eindhoven Box Cup slated for June 5–10, 2025. In an official letter sent to the Algerian Boxing Federation, the governing body stated: "Imane Khelif may not participate in the female category at the Eindhoven Box Cup, 5-10 June 2025 and any World Boxing event until Imane Khelif undergoes genetic sex screening in accordance with World Boxing's rules and testing procedures." Additionally, World Boxing, now holding provisional oversight of Olympic boxing for LA 2028 under the International Olympic Committee (IOC), has introduced new eligibility requirements, including PCR testing for the SRY gene, which detects the presence of a Y chromosome. According to the organization, the PCR test is a molecular method designed to identify specific genetic markers, particularly the SRY gene, which signals the presence of a Y chromosome and is used to determine biological sex. The test can be administered via nasal or oral swab, saliva sample, or blood draw. This testing forms part of World Boxing's forthcoming "Sex, Age and Weight" policy, which the body says is intended to promote fairness and ensure the safety of all athletes competing in the sport. World Boxing's firm response comes amid backlash following the Paris Olympics, where both Khelif and Taiwan's Lin Yu-ting won gold in the women's division. Italian boxer Angela Carini, who faced Khelif in an early round, later shared that the blows she received left her fearing for her life. Similarly, Mexico's Brianda Tamara Cruz, who fought Khelif in 2022, admitted, "I don't think I had ever felt like that in my 13 years as a boxer, nor in my sparring with men." It was the collective pushback, especially from Latin American boxing federations, that ultimately influenced World Boxing to adopt a stricter policy. Their advocacy emphasized the importance of recognizing biological sex to protect fairness and the physical safety of female athletes.
Hamilton Spectator
40 minutes ago
- Hamilton Spectator
Mexico defeats Canada in group play at CONCACAF Women's Under-20 Championship
ALAJUELA - Montserrat Saldivar scored twice Monday to help defending champion Mexico defeat Canada 4-2 and finish atop Group B in a weather-interrupted game at the CONCACAF Women's Under-20 Championship. Both teams had already accomplished their goal of qualifying for the 2026 FIFA U-20 World Cup by virtue of assuring themselves a top-two finish in the group with wins over Panama and Nicaragua. But topping the pool likely means avoiding the seven-time champion U.S. in the semifinal. Monday's game, which started in a torrential downpour, was tied 1-1 in the 30th minute when American referee Alyssa Nichols pulled the bedraggled players from the pitch at Estadio Alejandro Morera Soto. The game resumed some two hours 40 minutes later. The heavy rain had stopped by then but there was still some water left on the pitch, making for some difficult distribution. Maria Gonzalez also scored for Mexico, which profited from an own goal by Janet Okeke. Teegan Melenhorst and Annabelle Chukwu replied for Canada, which outshot Mexico 20-12 (5-4 in shots on target). The eight-team CONCACAF tournament, which runs through Sunday, will send four CONCACAF sides to the 24-team FIFA U-20 World Cup, scheduled for September 2026 in Poland. The U.S., which has already qualified for the CONCACAF semifinals at 2-0-0, wraps up Group A play Tuesday against Costa Rica (1-0-1) while Puerto Rica (0-1-1) faces Guyana (0-2-0). The Americans have lost just three of 64 matches all-time at the tournament. Trailing 3-1 at the break, Canada sent on Chukwu, who scored three goals in the first two games of the tournament. And the 18-year-old from Ottawa did not disappoint, cutting the lead to 3-2 in the 59th minute with a header off a Melenhorst cross following a Canadian corner. Chukwu, who scored three goals in Canada's opening two wins, added to her Canadian youth international scoring record, previously held by Christine Sinclair. Chukwu now has 38 goals in 40 games from the under-15 to under-20 level. Chukwu, who plays collegiate soccer at Notre Dame, has been called into camp by the Canadian senior side but has yet to win a cap. Mexico added an insurance goal in the 84th minute via Saldivar, who beat Canadian 'keeper Noelle Henning after a pass by Michel Fong split the Canadian defence. The wet conditions made for spotty early handling and Canada went ahead in the 18th minute after an errant clearance by Mexico goalkeeper Mariangela Medina, who plays collegiate soccer at UCLA. The ball went to Melenhorst, who roofed a shot past Medina. Mexico pulled even in the 26th minute when Alice Soto's low corner hit Okeke at the near post and deflected in past Henning. After the weather delay, Gonzalez put Mexico ahead in the 37th minute after Henning had punched away a Mexico corner. The ball came out to a Mexican player whose shot bounced off a Canadian defender to Gonzalez, who found the target. Mexico added to the lead in first-half stoppage time on a lightning-quick counter attack. A long pass found Saldivar, who outmuscled Sienna Gibson, the last defender, before dodging an onrushing Henning and firing the ball into the untended goal. Canada had 52 per cent possession and outshot Mexico 9-8 in the first half but the Mexicans had a 3-2 edge in shots on target. Canada has taken part in nine of the previous 11 editions of the FIFA U-20 tournament, missing out in 2010 and 2018. The Canadians lost 2-1 to Spain in the round of 16 at last year's FIFA U-20 World Cup in Colombia. Canada coach Cindy Tye made five changes to her starting 11, one forced by the suspension of Ines Nourani, who was set off against Nicaragua. Mexico was unchanged. Canada booked its ticket to the CONCACAF tournament by winning its qualifying group with ease in February. The Canadians outscored their qualifying opposition 43-0, dispatching Dominica 22-0, Bermuda 9-0 and host Trinidad and Tobago 12-0. The U.S. and Mexico, as the top-ranked countries in CONCACAF, skipped the qualifying round and were given direct entry to the CONCACAF championship. Canada and 23 other teams had to win their way there, with Costa Rica, Guyana, Nicaragua, Panama and Puerto Rico also topping their groups. Canada won the CONCACAF tournament in 2004 and 2008 and was runner-up to the U.S. in 2002, when the age group was under-19. The Americans are looking for their eighth title, having last won in 2020 and 2022. This report by The Canadian Press was first published June 2, 2025.
Yahoo
an hour ago
- Yahoo
Mexico defeats Canada in group play at CONCACAF Women's Under-20 Championship
ALAJUELA — Montserrat Saldivar scored twice Monday to help defending champion Mexico defeat Canada 4-2 and finish atop Group B in a weather-interrupted game at the CONCACAF Women's Under-20 Championship. Both teams had already accomplished their goal of qualifying for the 2026 FIFA U-20 World Cup by virtue of assuring themselves a top-two finish in the group with wins over Panama and Nicaragua. But topping the pool likely means avoiding the seven-time champion U.S. in the semifinal. Advertisement Monday's game, which started in a torrential downpour, was tied 1-1 in the 30th minute when American referee Alyssa Nichols pulled the bedraggled players from the pitch at Estadio Alejandro Morera Soto. The game resumed some two hours 40 minutes later. The heavy rain had stopped by then but there was still some water left on the pitch, making for some difficult distribution. Maria Gonzalez also scored for Mexico, which profited from an own goal by Janet Okeke. Teegan Melenhorst and Annabelle Chukwu replied for Canada, which outshot Mexico 20-12 (5-4 in shots on target). The eight-team CONCACAF tournament, which runs through Sunday, will send four CONCACAF sides to the 24-team FIFA U-20 World Cup, scheduled for September 2026 in Poland. Advertisement The U.S., which has already qualified for the CONCACAF semifinals at 2-0-0, wraps up Group A play Tuesday against Costa Rica (1-0-1) while Puerto Rica (0-1-1) faces Guyana (0-2-0). The Americans have lost just three of 64 matches all-time at the tournament. Trailing 3-1 at the break, Canada sent on Chukwu, who scored three goals in the first two games of the tournament. And the 18-year-old from Ottawa did not disappoint, cutting the lead to 3-2 in the 59th minute with a header off a Melenhorst cross following a Canadian corner. Chukwu, who scored three goals in Canada's opening two wins, added to her Canadian youth international scoring record, previously held by Christine Sinclair. Chukwu now has 38 goals in 40 games from the under-15 to under-20 level. Advertisement Chukwu, who plays collegiate soccer at Notre Dame, has been called into camp by the Canadian senior side but has yet to win a cap. Mexico added an insurance goal in the 84th minute via Saldivar, who beat Canadian 'keeper Noelle Henning after a pass by Michel Fong split the Canadian defence. The wet conditions made for spotty early handling and Canada went ahead in the 18th minute after an errant clearance by Mexico goalkeeper Mariangela Medina, who plays collegiate soccer at UCLA. The ball went to Melenhorst, who roofed a shot past Medina. Mexico pulled even in the 26th minute when Alice Soto's low corner hit Okeke at the near post and deflected in past Henning. Advertisement After the weather delay, Gonzalez put Mexico ahead in the 37th minute after Henning had punched away a Mexico corner. The ball came out to a Mexican player whose shot bounced off a Canadian defender to Gonzalez, who found the target. Mexico added to the lead in first-half stoppage time on a lightning-quick counter attack. A long pass found Saldivar, who outmuscled Sienna Gibson, the last defender, before dodging an onrushing Henning and firing the ball into the untended goal. Canada had 52 per cent possession and outshot Mexico 9-8 in the first half but the Mexicans had a 3-2 edge in shots on target. Canada has taken part in nine of the previous 11 editions of the FIFA U-20 tournament, missing out in 2010 and 2018. The Canadians lost 2-1 to Spain in the round of 16 at last year's FIFA U-20 World Cup in Colombia. Advertisement Canada coach Cindy Tye made five changes to her starting 11, one forced by the suspension of Ines Nourani, who was set off against Nicaragua. Mexico was unchanged. Canada booked its ticket to the CONCACAF tournament by winning its qualifying group with ease in February. The Canadians outscored their qualifying opposition 43-0, dispatching Dominica 22-0, Bermuda 9-0 and host Trinidad and Tobago 12-0. The U.S. and Mexico, as the top-ranked countries in CONCACAF, skipped the qualifying round and were given direct entry to the CONCACAF championship. Canada and 23 other teams had to win their way there, with Costa Rica, Guyana, Nicaragua, Panama and Puerto Rico also topping their groups. Canada won the CONCACAF tournament in 2004 and 2008 and was runner-up to the U.S. in 2002, when the age group was under-19. The Americans are looking for their eighth title, having last won in 2020 and 2022. This report by The Canadian Press was first published June 2, 2025. The Canadian Press
