Simone Biles: A Historical Legacy of Defying Physics, Gravity, and Precedent
Once again, Simone Biles made history on Sunday night by becoming the oldest female gymnast to make an Olympic team in 72 years. The 27-year-old launched herself 12 feet in the air, a superhuman feat that sent fans and commentators into raptures. With its high-stakes drama, gravity-defying physical feats, and chase-your-dream story arcs, women’s artistic gymnastics is among the most watched Olympic sporting events.
Today, there isn’t a single aspect of gymnastics that Biles hasn’t impacted. The most decorated gymnast of all time has five skills named after her in the sport’s Code of Points.
However, Biles’ gobsmacking performance and career also serve as a reminder that gymnastics is still grappling with the darker side of ambition. One historic moment captured the sport’s high stakes and expectations: Kerri Strug’s second vault at the 1996 Olympic Games.
Kerri Strug, a Historic Moment
As the team final drew to a close, 19-year-old Strug limps away after injuring her ankle on the first vault. Then, in one of the most made-for-television scenes in Olympic history, she returns to the mat and takes off for her second vault, sticking the landing on one foot. Her heroic vault helped Team USA clinch their first-ever gold medal.
Biles’ withdrawal from the Tokyo Olympic Games in 2021 sparked an ongoing conversation about athlete safety and well-being in gymnastics.
The Culture of Gymnastics: Past and Present
The renewed debate signaled that women’s gymnastics culture had changed dramatically in the last 27 years. The United States women’s team has earned an astonishing seven consecutive team medals at the Olympic Games and nine gold medals at world championships. However, the sport has also endured massive scandals, including the conviction of Larry Nasser.
While revelations about gymnastics’ toxic culture and Biles’ decision to prioritize her mental health suggest a more positive environment, the 2021 U.S. Olympic Team trials brought back memories of Strug’s pain.
Mental Battlefield
Competitors suffered wobbles, falls, and injuries on Day 1 of the trials. Gymnastics is a mental battlefield, and all its players are in the line of fire. Even Biles, who earned a spot on Team USA, nearly fell off the balance beam on Day 1.
The abundant display of emotions underscores just how young the athletes are. Many have yet to graduate high school, and the pressure they’re feeling is about more than social media or endorsements. It’s about their families and their dreams.
Today, gymnasts can push back against unrealistic pressure thanks to role models like Biles. They’re claiming more ownership over their dreams and doing it for themselves, which makes witnessing falls and injuries even more heartbreaking.
A Paradoxical Appeal
Ironically, the pressure athletes put on themselves is what makes women’s gymnastics so compelling. The agony of falls and injuries reflects a crucial paradox: It makes the sport unwatchable and impossible to turn away from at the same time.
While injuries are expected in any sport, it doesn’t make them any easier to watch. However, 27 years after Strug’s heroic vault, we can only hope that Biles’ influence will convey the message that an athlete’s well-being is worth more than any medal.
