Simone Biles pushes gymnastics to the limit as her former coach reveals the high-risk maneuver behind Paris success

Simone Biles' extraordinary career may have culminated at the 2024 Paris Olympics, where she added four more medals to her collection: three golds in the women's individual all-around, women's vault and team all-around, and a silver in the floor exercise. As the oldest U.S. gymnast in 72 years, she not only met expectations, but exceeded them, cementing her place as one of the greatest gymnasts in Olympic history. She's now tied with Czech gymnast Vera Cslavsk with 11 medals, trailing only Russia's Larisa Latynina, who holds a seemingly unbeatable record of 18 Olympic medals. Her performance in Paris sparked further debate about where she ranks among the best, leaving fans and critics alike questioning whether this was her final impact on the sport.

Biles and the Most Dangerous Movement for Gymnasts

One of the highlights of Biles' illustrious career is her signature move, the Yurchenko double pike (now called the Biles II), a move so difficult and dangerous that it has redefined the sport. Ccile Canqueteau-Landi, Biles' former coach, recently opened up about the tense moments leading up to the Paris Olympics, specifically the high-risk move. The vault, which involves a round-off on the springboard followed by two flips in a pike position, is one of the most complex and risky maneuvers ever performed by a female gymnast. Despite the immense pressure, Biles executed the Yurchenko double pike flawlessly in Paris, even with a calf injury. A visibly relieved Landi admitted that the atmosphere in the training room before the vault was charged with anticipation, noting that everyone held their breath as Simone prepared to perform.

The weight of expectation following her struggles at the Tokyo Games made the moment even more significant. After that performance, Biles took to social media to announce the retirement of the Yurchenko double pike, sharing an image of herself dressed in white and sitting on a vault surrounded by flowers. "R.I.P. Yurchenko double pike," she wrote. For Biles, retiring felt like the end of an era. Despite the thrill of performing such a groundbreaking skill, it took an incredible mental and physical toll on her. She had often spoken of the fear she felt every time she performed the move, despite having performed it over 100 times. Although Biles had achieved unparalleled success with the vault, the time had come for her to step away from it and close a significant chapter in her career.

Retirement for Biles Seems Imminent for Los Angeles 2028

Looking ahead, Biles has hinted that her time in gymnastics may be coming to an end. During an interview in which she was named Sports Illustrated's 2024 Athlete of the Year, Biles reflected on her future and hinted that a return to the 2028 Olympics in Los Angeles was unlikely. She'll be 31 and having accomplished everything she set out to do in the sport, Biles acknowledged the sacrifices she would have to make to compete again, including delaying her plans to start a family with her husband, Jonathan Owens.

Biles insisted that she had reached a point where it felt more like she was continuing for the sake of vanity than pursuing a real challenge. Instead, she seems focused on her personal life and her future beyond gymnastics. Whether she continues in the sport as a coach, mentor or figurehead remains to be seen, but for now, she seems content to step back and enjoy the fruits of her unprecedented career.