What eye condition does Stephen Nedoroscik have? Everything you need to know about the American gymnast who has become an internet sensation

Stephen Nedoroscik entered the 2024 Paris Olympics intending to win a medal for his country. He has achieved that, and also became an internet sensation overnight.

Nedoroscik has gone viral on the internet with memes, jokes, and even tribute songs. Besides his athletic abilities, fans around the world have taken to him thanks to his signature glasses.

The Massachusetts native always removes his glasses before competing on the pommel horse. For this, many fans have likened him to fictional journalist Clark Kent, who also removes his glasses before transforming into Superman.

With many wondering what eye condition he has, Nedoroscik, in a social media post, disclosed that he has crossed eyes — or strabismus. The two-time NCAA national champion is also sensitive to light due to a genetic condition known as coloboma, which means some of the tissue that makes up the eye was missing at birth.

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"I don’t really see when I’m doing my gymnastics" - Stephen Nedoroscik 'feels' his way to Olympic medals in Paris

Stephen Nedoroscik at the 2024 Paris Olympics - Getty Images

Team USA's men's gymnastics team clinched the bronze medal at the 2024 Paris Olympics, which is their first medal at the Games since the 2008 Beijing Games.

On Monday (July 29), they defeated Great Britain in the final standings by 2.266 points to clinch the bronze medal at the Bercy Arena. Stephen Nedoroscik anchored the team to the final spot on the podium.

At the same venue on Saturday, Nedoroscik won the bronze in the men's pommel horse final with a score of 15.300. Ireland's Rhys McClenaghan (15.533) won the gold while Kazakhstan's Nariman Kurbanov (15.433) took the silver.

In an interview earlier this week, the 25-year-old revealed that he removes his glasses while competing as he does not need to see well to perform at his best.

“It’s not necessarily clear, but the thing about pommel horse is if I keep them on, they’re gonna fly somewhere. When I go up on the pommel horse, it’s all about feeling the equipment. I don’t even really see when I’m doing my gymnastics. It’s all in the hands — I can feel everything,” he told TODAY.

Nedoroscik also stated that he loved all the memes about him and said that he was proud to represent everyone who wears spectacles.