Gymnastics has come a long way, with athletes always pushing the limits of what they can do. But chasing perfection has led to some super dangerous moves. To keep athletes safe, a bunch of these risky skills have been banned. Here’s a rundown of the top ten most dangerous moves that are no longer allowed in gymnastics.
Contents
1. Korbut Flip
The Korbut Flip, also known as the “Dead Loop,” is a gymnastic move that became synonymous with daring and innovation in the sport. Named after the Soviet gymnast Olga Korbut, this maneuver involves standing on the high bar, performing a backflip, and then regrasping the bar.
Historical Significance
The Korbut Flip was introduced to the world by Olga Korbut during the 1972 Munich Olympics. It was a groundbreaking moment in gymnastics, showcasing a level of athleticism and creativity that had not been seen before. Korbut’s performance captivated audiences and judges alike, earning her a place in gymnastics history.
Technical Execution
The move begins with the gymnast swinging up to a handstand on the high bar. From this position, the gymnast pushes off the bar, performs a backflip, and then catches the bar again to continue the routine.
Risks and Reasons for the Ban
Despite its spectacle, the Korbut Flip posed significant dangers:
- High Risk of Injury:
The move demands perfect precision. Even a small mistake in timing or body position can cause the gymnast to miss the bar, leading to dangerous falls and serious injuries. The risk is even greater because the flip is performed from a significant height, which increases the impact of any fall.
- Safety Concerns:
Over the years, gymnastics authorities like the International Gymnastics Federation (FIG) have prioritized athlete safety. By the mid-1980s, the FIG banned the Korbut Flip because of its frequent injuries and dangers. They determined that standing on the high bar, a necessary part of the move, was too risky.
2. Mukhina Flip
The Mukhina Flip, named after Soviet gymnast Elena Mukhina, highlights the dangers in gymnastics. This maneuver, a full-twisting backflip on the uneven bars, is known not just for its difficulty but also for the tragic accident that led to its ban.
Historical Context
Elena Mukhina introduced the flip in the late 1970s, a period when gymnasts were constantly pushing the limits of what was possible on the apparatus. Known for her innovation and skill, Mukhina performed the flip both in practice and competition, showcasing a level of difficulty that was unmatched at the time.
The Tragic Accident
In 1980, as Elena Mukhina was preparing for the Moscow Olympics, she faced pressure to perfect the flip despite not having fully recovered from a leg injury. During a practice session, she under-rotated the flip, leading to a catastrophic fall that fractured her cervical vertebrae, leaving her quadriplegic.
Banning of the Mukhina Flip
The International Gymnastics Federation (FIG) subsequently banned the Mukhina Flip due to its high risk and the severe injuries it had caused. This decision was part of a broader effort to improve safety measures within the sport and prevent similar accidents in the future.
3. Thomas Salto
The Thomas Salto is one of the most infamous moves in gymnastics, recognized for its high difficulty and the serious risks involved. Named after American gymnast Kurt Thomas, this skill involves a complex sequence of flips and twists, making it visually stunning but extremely perilous to perform.
Technical Breakdown of the Thomas Salto
- Setup: The move typically starts from a running approach to build momentum.
- Takeoff: The gymnast then launches into the air from a springboard or the floor.
- Rotation: While airborne, the gymnast executes a 1.5 backward somersault combined with 1.5 twists.
- Roll-out Landing: Unlike traditional landings that end on the feet, the Thomas Salto concludes with the gymnast rolling out on their hands and torso, which adds a unique but risky element to the maneuver
Historical Significance and Development
Kurt Thomas first performed the Thomas Salto in the 1970s, bringing a new level of complexity to men’s floor routines. The move quickly gained fame due to its high difficulty rating and the significant strength and coordination required to execute it successfully.
Ban and Safety Measures
Due to the high risk of severe injuries, the Thomas Salto was banned from women’s gymnastics in the early 1980s by the International Gymnastics Federation (FIG).
4. Roll-out Skills
Popularized in the 1970s and 1980s, roll-out skills are gymnastics maneuvers where the gymnast ends a somersault or flip by rolling out on the floor rather than landing on their feet.
Examples of Roll-out Skills
- Thomas Salto: A prime example of a roll-out skill, involving a 1.5 backward somersault with 1.5 twists, landing in a forward roll rather than on the feet.
- Double Back Roll-out: This involves a double backward somersault followed by a roll-out, where the gymnast completes the flips and then transitions into a roll on the floor instead of a traditional landing.
These skills were banned due to the high risk of head and neck injuries if the gymnast failed to complete the rotation correctly.
5. Produnova Vault
The Produnova vault is one of the most infamous and challenging maneuvers in gymnastics, known for its extreme difficulty and high risk of injury. Named after Russian gymnast Yelena Produnova, this vault has earned the nickname “vault of death” due to the significant dangers it poses.
Technical Description
The Produnova vault consists of a front handspring onto the vaulting table, followed by two front somersaults in the air before landing. The move requires a tremendous amount of power, precision, and control.
Historical Context
Yelena Produnova first performed the vault in 1999 at the Universiade in Palma de Mallorca, Spain, and later showcased it at the World Championships. It quickly became one of the most discussed elements in gymnastics. Her execution of the vault was regarded as a groundbreaking achievement, establishing a new benchmark for difficulty in women’s gymnastics.
Not Banned but Rarely Performed
Unlike some other dangerous skills, the Produnova vault is not officially banned. However, its performance is highly discouraged due to the risks involved. Very few gymnasts attempt this vault in competitions.
6. Gaylord II
The Gaylord II, named after American gymnast Mitch Gaylord, is a release move on the high bar where the gymnast performs a front flip over the bar and regrabs it.
It is considered one of the most hazardous release moves on the high bar. Due to its inherent risks and high difficulty level, the Gaylord II is rarely performed in contemporary gymnastics.
Historical Context and Innovation
Mitch Gaylord introduced the Gaylord II during his competitive career in the 1980s, a time of significant innovation in gymnastics. Known for his fearless approach and creativity, Gaylord became the first gymnast to successfully execute this high-flying release move in competition, setting a new standard for daring and complexity in the sport.
Risks and Challenges
The primary danger of the Gaylord II lies in the release and regrasp phase. The gymnast must execute the flip and time their regrasp with utmost precision to avoid a dangerous fall from the high bar. Missing the bar can lead to severe injuries, including fractures, sprains, or worse.
Not Officially Banned
Unlike some other dangerous gymnastics skills, the Gaylord II is not officially banned. However, its performance is highly discouraged due to the severe consequences of potential failure.
7. Belly Beats
Belly Beats, also known as “beating the bar,” is a skill in gymnastics that involves the gymnast using momentum to swing up from a high bar and slam their hips into a lower bar.
Technical Breakdown of Belly Beats
The gymnast starts by swinging from the high bar to build momentum, then shifts their body to align with the low bar and releases the high bar at the top of the swing. Their hips hit the low bar, creating more momentum for the next moves. They must then smoothly continue their routine, often swinging back to the high bar or transitioning to another skill.
Historical Context and Popularity
One of the most famous gymnasts to perform belly beats was Nadia Comaneci. Her flawless execution during the 1976 Olympics showcased the skill’s complexity and its aesthetic value within a routine.
No Longer Performed
Belly beats are no longer performed in modern gymnastics competitions due to the risks and changes in bar configurations. Gymnasts today focus on other skills that offer similar momentum benefits without the same level of risk.
8. Back-to-Back Tumbles
Back-to-back tumbles involve performing multiple flips or somersaults in succession without any pauses. This sequence poses a significant danger due to the potential for uncontrolled landings and falls, leading to its prohibition.
Historical Context and Popularity
Back-to-back tumbles were popular in the 1980s and 1990s when gymnasts like Oksana Omelianchik and Daniela Silivas performed them to great effect in their routines. These sequences often earn high scores for difficulty and execution.
- Oksana Omelianchik: Known for her energetic and precise tumbling, Omelianchik was one of the gymnasts who brought back-to-back tumbles into the spotlight. She performed them with such grace and control that it captivated judges and audiences alike.
- Daniela Silivas: Silivas, another prominent figure in gymnastics, was renowned for her back-to-back tumbling passes, which highlighted her ability to maintain perfect form and control through rapid sequences of flips.
Risks and Challenges
The main risk with back-to-back tumbles is the increased chance of falls and uncontrolled landings. The gymnast must keep high speed and control during both passes, which raises the likelihood of mistakes that can cause serious injuries like sprains, fractures, or concussions.
Phased Out of Competitions
Due to the associated risks and the evolution of gymnastics towards more dynamic and varied elements, back-to-back tumbles have become less common in modern competitions.
9. One-handed Giants
One-handed giants are high bar swings performed with only one hand. The lack of stability and control increases the risk of falls and injuries, resulting in this skill being heavily discouraged and largely avoided in competitions.
Historical Context and Usage
Gymnasts like Mitch Gaylord and Trent Dimas have been known for their high bar skills, including one-handed giants, which they incorporated into their routines to push the boundaries of the sport.
Risks and Challenges
High Risk of Falls: The major risk associated with one-handed giants is the potential for falling. With only one hand gripping the bar, the gymnast has significantly less control, making it easier to lose balance or fail to complete the rotation properly.
Increased Force on One Arm: The maneuver places a substantial amount of stress on the wrist, elbow, and shoulder of the gripping hand. This can lead to overuse injuries or acute strains if not performed with proper technique and conditioning.
Difficulty in Maintaining Form: Maintaining a clean, extended form while swinging with one hand is challenging. Any deviation from the correct body position can result in a loss of momentum and an increased risk of accidents
Less Common Today
Due to the high risks and the evolution of gymnastics towards safer and more controlled elements, one-handed giants are less common in modern competitions.
10. Over-the-Bar Dismounts
Over-the-bar dismounts are high-risk maneuvers where the gymnast performs a complex sequence of flips or twists, ultimately flying over the high bar before landing on the ground.
Historical Context and Popularity
Gymnasts like Olga Korbut and Nadia Comaneci were famous for their daring routines, which included variations of over-the-bar dismounts. These athletes pushed the limits of what was thought possible in gymnastics, inspiring future generations to explore complex aerial skills.
High Risk of Falls and Collisions
The primary danger of over-the-bar dismounts is the potential for missing the bar or failing to clear it completely. This can result in severe falls or collisions with the bar, leading to injuries such as fractures, concussions, or spinal injuries.
Current Status in Gymnastics
The International Gymnastics Federation (FIG) and other governing bodies have introduced regulations that discourage or even prohibit the performance of high-risk dismounts like those involving flips over the bar.
Final Thought
As gymnastics continues to develop, the focus remains on balancing the sport’s awe-inspiring performances with the safety of its athletes.
Do you think gymnastics is the hardest sport? The debate continues, but what’s undeniable is the incredible courage and skill of the athletes who perform these extraordinary feats.
