Simone Biles, the most decorated gymnast of all time, is back for her third consecutive Olympic Games in Paris. She's already shown incredible form in the qualifying rounds, securing her spot in both the women's artistic gymnastics team final on Tuesday and the individual all-around final on Thursday.
But what makes Biles so exceptional? A viral video by podcaster Matt Bernstein on X, formerly known as Twitter, has shed light on her unique skill set. Bernstein's video, which has been viewed over 2.4 million times, breaks down the scoring system in gymnastics to explain Biles's "genius".
"Explaining the genius of Simone Biles' vault for anyone who isn't a gym head," Bernstein captioned the video.
He explains that every gymnastics routine is scored based on two components: the difficulty value (DV) and the execution score (out of 10). The DV is assigned based on the complexity of the skills performed, with harder skills earning a higher DV. As long as the gymnast completes the skill, they receive the allocated points. The execution score then reflects how well the skill is executed, with 10 being the perfect score.
Biles's exceptional ability lies not just in her superior execution but in her ability to perform moves that are unprecedented in the world of gymnastics. Her signature vault, featuring two backflips, carries such a high DV that even if she were to stumble on the landing, she could still potentially win a medal. However, Biles's incredible strength and control mean that she rarely, if ever, makes a mistake.
In fact, her power is often so great that she has to take a step back upon landing, rather than standing still, because she cannot stop her momentum. This incredible feat of athleticism has left many viewers in awe.
"Simone Biles is not just *doing gymnastics
better than anyone in the worldâshe's doing skills that nobody else has ever done," Bernstein explains in the video.
Numerous X users echoed this sentiment in the comments, with one writing: "I appreciate you explaining this for me. She's incredible!!" Another added, "No one can touch Simone Biles skill level or execution. Pure genius."
Even ChatGPT, a generative AI tool, was impressed by Biles's skill. When asked if Biles faced any competition, ChatGPT acknowledged that while other talented gymnasts exist, "Simone Biles' combination of difficulty, execution, and consistency often sets her apart from the competition."
With her extraordinary skill and dedication, Biles is poised to once again dominate the competition in Paris. Her unique combination of power, precision, and groundbreaking moves has cemented her place as a true icon in the world of gymnastics, and her performances are sure to captivate audiences around the globe.