MayaZier

Simone Biles, 34-time world championship and Olympic medalist, has made history by adding another skill named after her in the international gymnastics rule book. Now, she has five skills officially named in her honor. 

To get a skill named after someone, a gymnast must have the skill approved by the International Gymnastics Federation (FIG), who will then either approve or deny said skill. 

The FIG grades the skill on a difficulty-based scale which ranges from A-I. The skill must be at least a C level of difficulty in order for the judges to watch a demo video where they will either approve or deny the skill. If they approve it, the gymnast must successfully complete the skill at an international competition. 

Simone Biles has performed the most difficult vault in all the women’s rulebooks. This vault is called the Yurchenko double pike vault. This is where the gymnast does a roundoff onto the springboard, a backhand handspring onto the vault and ends with a triple back pike, meaning her legs stay straight while her body folds downward. The name was officially changed to the “Biles II.” 

Biles has set numerous records, including winning the most Olympic medals in a single Olympics game, having the most world gold medals and being the most decorated gymnast in history. Some may go as far to say she is the best gymnast of all time. 

Not only is Biles known for her incredible physical strength, but ever since the Tokyo Olympics of 2021, Biles has been seen as a strong mental health activist as well.

Biles pulled out of the 2021 Olympics after having a severe mental block called the “twisties” meaning a gymnast will lose track of where they are in midair. This mental block can be very dangerous and life threatening. 

To prioritize her mental health, Biles thought it would be safest to not compete in Tokyo. Many critics did not support her decision and began to terrorize her. Biles showed the world that it’s okay to take breaks, it’s okay to ask for help and it’s okay to prioritize one’s mental health. 

Freshman Kaitlyn Bendon, a fifth year tumbler, has been following Simone Biles for years now. Bendon has been doing gymnastics since she was a little girl. Her coaches watched her grow into an amazing gymnast, and now she is a member of the national trampoline and tumbling team at Airborn Academy. 

“My favorite event is the trampoline because I can express myself through my 15-second routine,” Bendon said. Bendon is a dedicated gymnast who “practices at least three times a week for over two hours every time.” 

Bendon stands with Biles and says, “I think that’s important because taking a break can ultimately improve a gymnast’s performance.”

Although Biles was too busy for an interview, her manager, Kelly Ferrero, said, “Her schedule is overwhelmed and she’s focused on training for all she hopes to do next year.”

Bendon and Biles may be competing in different competitions, practicing different skills and winning different awards, but they share a common love of the sport and a determination to try new skills.