Simone Biles has pushed the boundaries of gymnastics like no other. Not only does she have five World Championship Titles and Seven Olympic medals to her name, but she has also contributed significantly to the sport’s evolution. As of September 2023, Biles has four elements named after her – one on vault, one on balance beam, and two in floor exercise.

These elements, often assigned difficulty ratings, showcase her dominance and innovation. However, despite their recognition, Biles has faced many challenges, particularly regarding the devaluation of her skills. In 2019, Biles introduced two new skills at the World Championships. It is important to note that the Gymnastics elements are assigned letters corresponding to numerical values based on their difficult quotient.

“A” skill is worth one-tenth of a point and increases based on difficulty and so forth. Biles’ triple-twisting double-tucked salto backwards on floor known as “Biles II” was rated as a “J” skill, while her double-twisting double-tucked salto backwards dismount off the balance beam known as “Biles” received an “H” rating.

This drew criticism from many enthusiasts who believed her skills deserved higher ratings. The Women’s Technical Committee (WTC) defended its ratings by emphasizing safety concerns and the technical direction of the discipline. Biles, frustrated by the devaluation of her “Biles” element on the beam, expressed her displeasure on social media in a tweet writing, “hahahaHAHAHAHAHhahaHahaAhahAhahahaAhahahHAHAahaaaaaaaHa bullsh*t”.

The controversy highlighted the tension between innovation and safety in gymnastics. Then in 2021, Biles introduced the Yurchenko double pike vault, a move never before attempted by a woman in competition. She submitted the skill to be added to the Code of Points, which, as of September 2023, still has not been officially recognized. This situation could change at the 2023 World Artistic Gymnastics Championships, but Biles once again faces the challenge of deductions.

How the unfair deductions for Simone Biles have continued in 2023

As the 2023 World Artistic Gymnastics Championships draw closer, the excitement surrounding Biles’ ground-breaking Yurchenko double pike vault, which might soon bear the name “Biles II,” reaches a fever pitch. A tweet by FIG on Twitter showcased Biles in action during podium training in Antwerp, and the gymnastics world watched in awe.

Along similar lines, at the 2023 Xfinity Championships, Biles flawlessly executed the Yurchenko double pike vault in her routine. She even received a blazing difficulty score of 6.4 and an execution score of 9.800. However, here’s where the frustration for her, her coaches and her fans incurred. She ended up receiving a -0.5 for ND.

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The reason for the deduction was the presence of her coach, Laurent Landi, on the podium while Biles was performing the. Landi even explained why he did so saying, “If I have to step out, I will step out But it will be on her terms”. This safety precaution, meant to prevent injuries, incurred a half-point deduction. But was it fair?

Is not safety a priority?

Biles executed the vault with near perfection, and Landi stood by merely to assist if something went wrong. The same ‘Spotting’ is allowed on Uneven Bars, but the rules do not apply to vault. Gymnastics is a sport with inherent risks. Athletes launch themselves into the air, performing complex maneuvers before landing, often with limited visibility. Safety is paramount, and any misstep can lead to serious injuries.

It’s essential to note that the history of gymnastics includes incidents that have resulted in injury, such as Jennifer Sey’s fall on the uneven bars in 1985, which led to a rule change, allowing coaches to spot gymnasts on the bars for safety. Yet, this rule does not extend to vault, despite Landi’s presence being purely precautionary.

A half-point deduction might not significantly impact Biles’ score, but it raises questions about fairness and athlete safety. A revaluation of this rule is the need for the hour. Gymnasts should not be penalized for coaches standing by to ensure their safety, especially when performing high-risk maneuvers. The precedent set by allowing coaches on the podium during uneven bars routines highlights the inconsistency in enforcing safety measures across different apparatuses.

Simone Biles’ Yurchenko Double Pike Vault Controversy Explained

As gymnastics continues to evolve as a sport, it is crucial to strike a balance between recognizing athletes’ exceptional skills and prioritizing their safety. Biles, with her ground-breaking feats, have brought this issue to the forefront. Should Biles receive a deduction for a safety precaution that could potentially save her from injury? As the gymnastics world evolves, it may be time for the rules to evolve with it. Don’t you agree?

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