In a personal update that has caught the attention of the gymnastics community, U.S. Olympian Stephen Nedoroscik is officially single. The pommel horse specialist, who charmed the nation with his bronze medal performance at the 2024 Paris Games and later on Dancing With the Stars, has ended his decade-long relationship with girlfriend Tess McCracken.
McCracken, 28, made the announcement directly to fans in a candid TikTok video posted on Saturday, April 4th. "There's not really a good way to make this video, so I'm just gonna say it, I guess. Stephen and I are no longer together," she stated. "We haven't been since the beginning of January."
A Quiet End to a Public Relationship
The couple's relationship was often in the spotlight, especially during Nedoroscik's Olympic journey, where McCracken was a supportive presence. However, in recent months, fans began to notice her absence from his social media, sparking speculation and online discussion. "It's been long enough and people have figured it out," McCracken acknowledged. "[My] social media has been cleaned out. I can't post anything without getting a few comments and I know there have been multiple Reddit threads. I feel like it's just easier to have it out in the open and not really have to hide it any more."
She was quick to dispel any notions of a dramatic split, emphasizing that the breakup was amicable. "There wasn't any drama, there wasn't some big, blow-up fight where one of us stormed out, there wasn't any cheating [and] neither of us came out as gay," she clarified. "Absolutely none of that. There was no drama."
Growing Apart After Ten Years
Instead, McCracken described a scenario familiar to many: two people who grew up together ultimately growing apart. The pair met as freshmen at Penn State in 2016 and had been together ever since. "It was really just time, and that sucks a lot," she said. "We were together for almost 10 years. We met and got together when we were 17 and 18, and we're now 27 and 28. As it turns out, there are things that didn't matter at 18 that matter when you're in your later 20s."
The practicalities of life aligned with their emotional decision. Their apartment lease was up in mid-January, providing a natural point to go their separate ways. McCracken also noted she kept their cat, as she primarily handled its care and Nedoroscik has allergies. "It just worked out that way," she added.
Nedoroscik, who has built a massive social media following of nearly 700,000 on Instagram since his Olympic fame, has not yet publicly commented on the split. His focus appears to remain on his athletic career and burgeoning public profile following his standout 2024, which saw him become a world champion and an Olympic medalist.
This type of personal news from a popular Olympian reminds us that athletes navigate the same complex life changes as everyone else, even under the bright lights of international competition. While fans may speculate, McCracken's straightforward explanation highlights a simple, if painful, truth: sometimes paths diverge. As Nedoroscik continues to build his legacy in gymnastics and entertainment, he does so now on a new personal chapter.
