In 2019, Simone Biles became in her — that's a triple-twisting double backflip, if you're unfamiliar. The move has since become a staple in her competitive performances, and as of June 2024, ahead of the Paris 2024 Olympics, no other woman has completed the move (though American gymnasts Jade Carey and MyKayla Skinner have both trained it, according to videos they've posted). The triple-double is considered such a hallmark of Biles's abilities that it's even been .
The triple-double is always met with enthusiasm by commentators and the crowd. But it's a blink-and-you-miss-it moment — it's over so fast, and she's twisting so much it can be hard to even wrap your mind around what she's doing. So, here's why the triple-double is such a big deal.
Flips and twists are nothing new to the sport of gymnastics, but this particular combo is truly jaw-dropping. It's been 31 years since Romanian gymnast Daniela Silivas first stuck a double-double on floor (a move still colloquially referred to as the Silivas), which requires a gymnast to complete two backflips in a tucked position, twisting once on each flip. The triple-double adds a third twist, an achievement that had only been seen in men's gymnastics until Biles's feet touched down on the mat at the 2019 US Gymnastics Championships.
Side note: In 2021, American gymnast , but she never debuted it, later saying in an interview with , "that ship has sailed" and that she's "a little bit scared now. It's a little bit hard." The triple.
