At the 2025 Winter Cup, the first major domestic event of the men’s season, Fred Richard’s performance was not defined solely by his routines. The University of Michigan junior and U.S. national team member arrived with a uniform unlike any other on the floor, a deliberate choice in protest of the International Gymnastics Federation’s strict apparel regulations.

Richard had made his stance public before the competition began. The standard men’s uniform, he explained, made him feel “restricted,” “uncomfortable,” and “goofy.” He shared, “Pommel horse pants are basically footed tights,” and the singlet beneath “goes up your crotch and everything.” So, rather than submit to the traditional attire, Richard debuted his own design, knowing it would cost him a 0.3 deduction for each day

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