John Malone, the father of Olympic gymnast Brody Malone, shared an emotional letter during NBC’s broadcast of the 2024 Summer Olympics on July 29.
His heartfelt message to his 24-year-old son and Team USA was delivered as they competed in the men's artistic all-around gymnastics final, where the team secured a bronze medal, ending a 16-year medal drought.
In a clip broadcasted on NBC and shared on social media, John Malone read from a piece of paper while photos of Brody played on the screen. "I want to tell you about my oldest boy Brody," he began in a TikTok video posted by several of NBC’s accounts.
@nbcolympics on TikTok
"He was born with his mother's smile and with my fire for competition. After he broke his arm climbing out of his crib when he was two, we got him into gymnastics so he could get all of his energy out," John continued.
The footage showed a young Brody tumbling, and John reminisced about meeting his wife, Tracey, in college through an equestrian program. The couple raised their family in Cedartown, Georgia, which John described as “a great place for Brody to grow up.”
John spoke about the family's loss in 2012 when Tracey died of cancer. "Like me, Brody doesn't like to show his emotions too much," he said. "So, I think he buried himself in competition and let all of his pain out through sports."
"Competing at the Olympics was a dream Brody and his mom had together. I know Tracey's watching over Brody still and I can see her smile and hear her laugh and feel her joy," John said, visibly emotional.
He struggled to read the next sentence, pausing to regain composure. “So, son, go get 'em tonight. Your mom and I are so proud of you."
Brody’s bronze win in Paris marked his second Olympic appearance, following his participation in the 2021 Tokyo Games. Alongside his athletic achievements, Brody is preparing for another significant life event: his wedding to fiancée Serena Ortiz.
In an interview with The Knot, updated on July 17, Brody and Serena shared details of their upcoming nuptials planned for May 2025 near his hometown.
Ortiz, who attended the Paris Games to support Brody, spoke about their relationship, which began in high school. She mentioned her dedication to visiting him monthly despite their colleges being on separate coasts.
"If she wasn't willing to be that dedicated, it may have been a different story. I'm super blessed and grateful that she was as dedicated as she was to our relationship," Brody said.
Their engagement took place on New Year’s Eve in 2023, a moment Serena anticipated when her parents and best friend joined the couple on vacation. "That tipped me off a little bit," she said with a smile.
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