While they didn't get the gold, it was an epic day for the U.S. at the Men's Gymnastics team final Monday, with Team USA earning its first medal in 16 years.
Carried by incredible performances from each member of Team USA, including suburban Chicago-native Paul Juda, the relatively young U.S. team exceeded expectations at the 2024 Paris Olympics Monday, securing their first medal -- a Bronze -- in the men's event since 2008.
The team -- made up of Frederick Richard, 20; Brody Malone, 24; Paul Juda, 23; Asher Hong, 20 and Stephen Nedoroscik, 25 -- finished with a score of 257.793, narrowly falling below China and Japan, widely considered top medal favorites for the event, but who both suffered major falls.
Who won Gold, Silver?
Japan surged past its longtime rival China to win gold in the men's team finals Monday.
It was Japan’s eighth team gold and first since Rio de Janeiro in 2016.
The Japanese overtook their rivals on the final rotation, after China’s Su Weide fell twice off the horizontal bar. Japan won with a small margin of 0.532 points.
Local
After qualifying in fifth place, the U.S. men ended a 16-year drought to the delight of the dozens of fans waving American flags who chanted “USA, USA” throughout the evening.
The Americans posted a total of 257.793 points to edge Britain for the bronze.
Feeling out of the loop? We'll catch you up on the Chicago news you need to know. Sign up for the weekly Chicago Catch-Up newsletter.
Russia, which won gold at the Tokyo Games, did not compete because of its role in the war against Ukraine.
The Chinese, who took home silver, had dominated qualifying ahead of Japan, the reigning world champion.
Halfway through the men's event, Team USA sat in second place - though they remained in a tight battle heading into the final half.
The top of the podium was widely expected to be a duel between superpowers Japan and China.
The team final will re-air at 7 p.m. on NBC 5.
Who is on the U.S. Men's Gymnastics team?
The young team is largely made up of Olympic rookies, with Asher Hong, from Tomball, Texas, Stephen Nedoroscik, from Worcester, Massachusetts, and Fredrick Richard, from Stoughton, Massachusetts and Juda all making their Olympic debut.
Brody Malone, who competed in Tokyo, is by far the most experienced athlete on the five-man U.S. team. He has taken on the role of de facto captain, and while he wasn't at his best during qualifying, he made sure to tell his teammates to drink in the moment, as difficult as it might have been at times.
Malone spent the last 16 months defying the odds, improbably coming back from a catastrophic right knee injury in the spring of 2023 to reach the Olympics for a second time.
When the 24-year-old won his third national title in June, he looked every bit the star the Americans envisioned when he became the standard-bearer for the men’s program three years ago.
When was the last time Team USA medaled in Men's Gymnastics at the Olympics?
The last time the United States won a gold team medal in men's gymnastics was 1984.
The last time the United States won a silver team medal in men's gymnastics was 2004. The U.S. also won silver in 1904 and 1932.
The last time the United States won a bronze team medal in men's gymnastics was 2008. The U.S. also won bronze in 1984.
Men's gymnastics schedule: When is the next men's gymnastics event?
Wednesday, July 31 - The men's gymnastics all-around final will take place starting at 10:30 a.m. CT on Wednesday, July 31. The event will air live on NBC 5, and streaming on Peacock. Only Paul Juda and Fredrick Richard will compete.
Saturday, Aug. 3 - The men's gymnastics floor exercise final will take place at 9:30 a.m. CT on Saturday, Aug. 3. The event will air live on E! and streaming on Peacock.
Saturday, Aug. 3 - The men's pommel horse final will be held at 10:16 a.m. CT on Saturday, Aug. 3. The event will air live on E! and streaming on Peacock.
Sunday, Aug. 4 - The men's rings final will be held at 8 a.m. CT on Sunday, Aug. 4. The event will air live on NBC 5 and streaming on Peacock.
Sunday, Aug. 4 - The men's vault final will be held at 9:24 a.m. CT on Sunday, Aug. 4. The event will air live on NBC 5a and streaming on Peacock.
Monday, Aug. 5 - The men's parallel bars final takes place at 4:45 a.m. CT on Monday, Aug. 5. The event will air live on E! and streaming on Peacock.
Monday, Aug. 5 - The men's horizontal bar final will take place at 6:33 a.m. CT on Monday, Aug. 5. The event will air live on E! and streaming on Peacock.
