Social Justice
Olympic Gymnast Frederick Richard sets world record, raises $50K for Ugandan youth
In May, Richard set the record for most standing backflips completed in 24 hours, surpassing the previous mark of 1,002 flips. His achievement was more than a personal milestone—it was a fundraising effort to support young gymnasts in Africa.
Olympic gymnast medalist Frederick Richard has made history, breaking a Guinness World Record while raising more than $50,000 to expand access to gymnastics for underprivileged youth in Uganda.
Olympic Gymnast Frederick Richard raises $50K for Ugandan youth
In May, Richard set the record for most standing backflips completed in 24 hours, surpassing the previous mark of 1,002 flips. His achievement was more than a personal milestone—it was a fundraising effort to support young gymnasts in Africa.
Richard traveled to Uganda on June 12 to celebrate the milestone and personally deliver the funds raised through community donations. In partnership with the Gymnastics Association of Uganda, he is helping build the country’s first fully-equipped training facility in Kampala, laying the groundwork to establish gymnastics as a national sport.
The initiative
Richard’s initiative aims to provide proper equipment, coaching, and opportunities for young athletes who currently train in makeshift conditions. His efforts have drawn praise from the global gymnastics community, with supporters highlighting the importance of accessibility and inclusion in the sport.
The GoFundMe campaign remains active in support of Frederick Richard’s initiative, having raised $58,000 toward its $100,000 goal as of June 17. To donate, visit the GoFundMe here.