In 2020, the Washington Post suggested that the vault Simone Biles had planned for the upcoming Summer Olympics — a Yurchenko double pike — was just too dangerous for her to try in competition:
The Simone Biles vault that might be too risky for the Olympics https://t.co/PXu1K2Kd1B
— The Washington Post (@washingtonpost) February 6, 2020
From back then:
Widely considered the best gymnast of all time, Biles tweeted “2020” along with eyes emojis and a question mark, letting others consider the possibility of seeing this vault in competition. Will Biles actually perform this skill at the Tokyo Olympics or in other events this season? Probably not. But that mere chance, and the potential she showed in the video, will fuel discussions about Biles’s dominance in this sport.
The vault has never been attempted in competition before, that is, by a woman:
Simone Biles could be the first woman to attempt a Yurchenko double pike in competition, say her coaches. Only men have landed it. “It's very, very challenging… people can get hurt… it's a very dangerous vault,” says Biles’ coach, Laurent Landi. https://t.co/ovlrulJYIO pic.twitter.com/qQTxKeUuNk
— 60 Minutes (@60Minutes) February 15, 2021
Well, it’s a good thing Biles didn’t listen to the Post on this one. Here she is completing a Yurchenko double pike in training today:
Simone Biles just landed her Yurchenko double pike in podium training and we are SPEECHLESS. 😮 #USClassic@Simone_Biles @OnHerTurf pic.twitter.com/S9YsasXoXu
— NBC Olympics (@NBCOlympics) May 21, 2021
Here’s another angle:
Simone Biles just did THAT. 🤯
(via @NastiaLiukin) @OnHerTurf pic.twitter.com/HtkwAvPcEH
— NBC Olympics (@NBCOlympics) May 21, 2021
And on to Tokyo!
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