Paris – Simone Biles, the American gymnastics star, has never settled for simply doing what has been done before. From the beginning of her career, she has been determined to push the boundaries of the sport, constantly striving to achieve new and groundbreaking feats. And as she prepares to compete for her eighth Olympic medal in Paris, there is no doubt that she will continue to do just that.
At just 27 years old, Biles has already left an indelible mark on the sport. Five elements currently bear her name in the Code of Points, a testament to the incredible difficulty and uniqueness of her routines. These elements include two on vault, two on floor exercise, and one on the balance beam. But for Biles, it’s not just about having elements named after her, it’s about constantly challenging herself and pushing the sport forward.
One of her most iconic elements is the Biles I, performed on floor exercise. She debuted this element back in 2013 at the world championships, when she was just a teenager and had recently become the national champion. The move involves a double layout with a half-twist at the end, a visually stunning and daring feat. But Biles and her former coach Aimee Boorman came up with it out of necessity, as it was less taxing on her legs due to injuries. This element truly embodies Biles’ determination and resilience.
After taking a two-year break following her historic performance at the 2016 Olympics, Biles returned to the sport in 2018, ready to take on new challenges. And that’s exactly what she did with the Biles II on floor exercise. Not content with simply repeating herself, she worked on a triple-twisting, double flip that is now commonly referred to as “the triple-double”. She unveiled this move at the 2019 U.S. Championships, and then again at the world championships, where she won her record-breaking sixth all-around title. Her drive to constantly improve and innovate is truly awe-inspiring.
Biles has also made her mark on vault, with both the Biles I and Biles II versions. The first, a Cheng vault with an added half twist, entered the Code in 2018 after she performed it at the world championships. This vault, like all of her elements, requires incredible strength and precision, making it a sight to behold. The Biles II, on the other hand, may be her most dazzling and daring element yet. She started working on the Yurchenko double pike in 2021, and it has quickly become her most show-stopping element. This vault, which involves two backward flips in a pike position, has never been completed by a woman in competition, and few men have even attempted it. But Biles does it with such ease and power, earning her a standing ovation at the U.S. Olympic trials last month. Her coach Laurent Landi summed it up perfectly, saying, “No, it’s not normal. She’s not normal.”
But Biles’ talent and fearlessness are not limited to floor exercise and vault. She is also a master on the balance beam, where she can make even the most difficult moves seem effortless. In 2019, she added a double-twisting, double-tucked dismount off the beam, which she stuck at the world championships. This element, along with her other beam routines, showcases her grace, precision, and control on a four-inch-wide piece of wood. It’s no wonder she is considered a wonder on this apparatus as well.
As we eagerly await Biles’ performance at the Olympics in Paris, she has already made headlines with her submission of a new uneven bars skill. This element requires her to do a forward circle around the lower bar before turning a handstand into a 540-degree pirouette. While she did not attempt it during the team or all-around competitions, she still won gold in both events. This new skill, along with her other elements, is a testament to her unwavering determination and her desire to constantly push the sport to new heights.
In conclusion, Simone Biles is not just a gymnast. She is a trailblazer, a pioneer, and a true inspiration. Her dedication, hard work, and courage have not only earned her countless medals and accolades, but also a place in the history books of gymnastics. As she continues to amaze and astound us
