BILES AND THE YURCHENKO DOUBLE PIKE

Simone Biles was one of the stars of Rio 2016, winning golds in the vault, all-around, floor and team contests, and a bronze in the balance beam. She will once again be the one to watch at Tokyo.

Simone has a track record of being the first to attempt difficult routines and several have been named after her. And last week, she attempted and completed a routine so difficult that no other women gymnast will even attempt it.

Describing the “Yurchenko Double Pike”, the New York Times writes the following:

The Yurchenko double pike is considered so perilous and challenging that no other woman has attempted it in competition, and it is unlikely that any woman in the world is even training to give it a try.

The move is considered so difficult, the International Gymnastics Federation does not give it any points credit - reducing the incentive for other gymnasts to try this difficult routine.

Despite this, Biles, said she would continue doing them. When asked why, she responded, “Because I can.”

[https://www.nytimes.com/2021/05/24/sports/olympics/simone-biles-yurchenko-double-pike.html]