Team USA gymnast Stephen Nedoroscik celebrated winning the bronze medal on individual pommel horse and reflected on becoming an internet sensation.
A sweet online exchange between Elmo and U.S. gymnast Stephen Nedoroscik is melting fans' hearts during the 2024 Paris Olympics.
The red furry “Sesame Street” character, who's been hobnobbing with Olympians since he arrived in Paris, reached out on X to Nedoroscik to ask him for advice about how to specialize in an activity.
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"Mr. Stephen Nedoroscik, Elmo wants to be a specialist too! Elmo was thinking he could be the giggle specialist or maybe a monster-hug specialist. Elmo will keep thinking!" wrote the Muppet.
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The bronze medal winner replied with encouragement for Elmo, telling him he could do anything he set his heart out to do.
"Elmo, the great thing about specializing in something is you get to decide," he wrote. "I think you’ll be a great specialist in anything you end up choosing!"
Elmo in turn wrote back, "Thank you, Mr. Steve! You are so kind! Elmo is now the official specialist of giggles!!!!!!! Ha ha ha! Elmo loves you!"
X users responded by saying the pair's adorable exchange tugged at their heartstrings.
"Oh okay. So we are just crying on a random Tuesday because Stephen gave Elmo the special boost to be WHATEVER HE WANTED," read one response.
"You are fantastically wholesome," another user told Nedoroscik, "and please know that’s intended as a massive compliment."
Some called the pair's conversation "pure," with one writing, "i need this whole thing printed on a tshirt."
Others said they hoped to see Nedoroscik, whom fans nicknamed "Pommel Horse Guy" after witnessing his gymnastics skills in Paris, on an upcoming "Sesame Street" episode.
"I think someone needs to make an appearance on Sesame Street pronto! Make it happen, @elmo ! @sesamestreet," one wrote.
While at the Olympics, Elmo and his “Sesame Street” pals have been meeting up with members of Team USA, including gold medal-winning gymnasts Simone Biles, Suni Lee and Jordan Chiles.
Elmo and Cookie Monster also hung out with swimmer Katie Ledecky. When the trio posed for pics together, Cookie Monster couldn't help but sneak a nibble on one of Ledecky's shiny new gold medals.
“Sesame Street” shared a pic of the high jinks Aug. 4 on X, writing, "Can confirm, a ninth gold medal tastes as good as the first. Congratulations Ms. @KatieLedecky!”
Ledecky also shared the image on her own X account. "C is for Cookie… that’s good enough for me," she wrote, adding a gold medal emoji.
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