CV NEWS FEED // Inspired by the story of viral American Olympic gymnast, Stephen Nedoroscik, whose “only job” is to compete in the pommel horse event, Catholic Review author Rita Buettner points out that our gifts from God need not be numerous.
“Often in life, we think we have to be good at many things. Or we get caught up in what we aren’t doing well,” Buettner writes: “It’s reassuring to think that maybe God doesn’t intend for me—for any of us—to excel at all of it. He gives each of us gifts in different ways. Then he asks us to use those gifts to make the world a little better, and the darkness a little lighter.”
Nedoroscik, also known as “pommel horse guy,” catapulted to fame last week after his pommel horse routine helped the US men’s gymnastics team win its first Olympic medal in 16 years. The 25-year-old’s performance was the last routine of the night and his only contribution to the team’s overall score.
Photographs of Nedoroscik napping while waiting for his event have gone viral on social media, where he is often referred to as the “Clark Kent” of men’s gymnastics because of his glasses.
Nedoroscik explained to reporters after the event that he is cross-eyed and that while he cannot see without his glasses, he cannot wear them while performing his routine because they will just fly off. He performs by muscle memory.
“I’m not sure what my pommel horse is—or yours,” Buettner continued, “But in this life that can feel like one big acrobatics competition, maybe there is one piece that we can focus on and do well. God has a calling for each of us. He invites us to discover it, to lean into our talents, and to do it in a way that no one else can.”
Just as the Olympics is full of people who have mastered their craft, she reflected, there are people in everyday life who have also honed their individual talents, channeling their gifts out of love for God.
“There are people all around giving of their gifts and shining in their roles, just like Stephen Nedoroscik gliding across the top of that pommel horse,” she concluded: “And when we look at the saints, we see that too. They didn’t all do everything well. They did what God asked of them where they were, and they did it with a heart for others and a love for God.”
