Latest news with #ClonCircus
Forbes
03-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Forbes
Olympic Gymnast Fred Richard Sets Guinness World Record
Frederick Richard of the United States performs his routine on the floor exercise during the ... More Artistic Gymnastics Men's Team Final on day three of the Olympic Games Paris 2024 at Bercy Arena in Paris, France on July 29, 2024. (Photo by Andrzej Iwanczuk/NurPhoto via Getty Images) Fred Richard, known for leading Team USA to the bronze medal at the 2024 Paris Olympics, set the Guinness World Record for most standing backflips completed in 24 hours late Friday night. The Olympic and World medalist completed over 1,100 standing backflips in under 24 hours, broadcasting his attempts on a YouTube livestream. Richard reportedly needed to complete 1,002 flips to set the record, a count that he reached before midnight, roughly 12 hours into his attempt. The Massachusetts native attempted the record in a makeshift studio inside Premier Gymnastics in Stoughton, MA, his hometown. The Olympian wasn't just flipping for the Guinness World Record. Richard completed the stunt to raise funds to purchase gymnastics equipment for young African gymnasts. In recent months, Richard had produced social media content showcasing the gymnastics talents of children from Clon Circus Uganda, a foundation committed to helping 'street children and orphans discover purpose and build a better future.' Through multiple social media posts, Richard drew attention to the stark contrast between his own training gear and the conditions faced by athletes at Clon Circus. Unlike U.S. athletes who train with mats and advanced equipment, the Clon Circus performers practice challenging gymnastics moves directly on bare ground. 'We all have potential, it's the environment we're in that determines the outcome,' Richard posted in April, supplemented by videos of talented Clon Circus gymnasts. The Frederick Flips Foundation had opened a GoFundMe dedicated to garnering contributions before and during Friday's event. The foundation works in partnership with the Dominican Health and Education Initiative (DAHEI), and specifies donations 'will go toward securing gymnastics equipment and a facility for the kids to train.' As of Thursday, the fundraiser had raised under $10,000. After Richard's successful stunt, the total reached over $35,000. The fundraiser remains open for donations. One of the most successful American male gymnasts in recent history, Richard is 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. Bloomberg reported that Richard earned 'roughly $6,000 a month from social media platforms' before the 2024 Olympics. He has worked with prominent brands like Crocs, Celsius Energy Drinks, and Peloton. He also owns an apparel line, Frederick Flips. Richard is also immensely successful on the competition floor. Last month, he led the University of Michigan Men's Gymnastics team to its seventh NCAA National Championship. He also clinched the all-around title. In 2023, Richard became the first American man to medal in the individual all-around at the World Championships since 2010. That same year, he played a pivotal role in clinching the first World medal for the U.S. men's team since 2014. At the Paris Olympics, he led the U.S. men to their first Olympic team medal since 2008. ANTWERP, BELGIUM - OCTOBER 05: Bronze medalist Frederick Richard of Team United States celebrates ... More during the medal ceremony for the Men's All Around Final on Day Six of the 2023 Artistic Gymnastics World Championships at Antwerp Sportpaleis on October 05, 2023 in Antwerp, Belgium. (Photo by)
Forbes
02-05-2025
- Sport
- Forbes
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.
