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What is the dead loop in gymnastics and why is the Korbut flip manoeuvre banned in the Olympics?
By Joanne Kavanagh,
13 hours ago
EVERY time the Olympics is on, fans are left in awe at the gymnastic events.
But one flip manoeuvre that won’t feature at Paris 2024 is the dead loop. Here we take you through why it is banned and who originally introduced it.
The dead loop is banned in gymnastics Getty - Contributor
What is the dead loop in gymnastics?
The dead loop, also known as the Korbut Flip, is a daring and dangerous move in gymnastics.
This tricky manoeuvre involves a gymnast swinging around the horizontal bar, releasing their grip, and re-grasping the bar.
This has to be performed in a seamlessly effortless motion.
To pull of the dead loop correctly, it requires timing, strength, and body control.
Why is the dead loop banned in Olympics?
The dead loop will not feature at Paris 2024 as it is no longer allowed at the Olympics.
The reason this flip is banned is because it can cause serious injury, due to its complexity.
Because if the high level of risk involved in performing the dead loop it has been banned from competitive gymnastics since the 1980s.
These are the risks involved in performing the dead loop:
Any miscalculation in timing can result in the gymnast missing the bar and falling, which can lead to serious injuries.
There is a big risk of head and neck injuries.
The flip involves a rapid change in motion and direction, resulting in high impact forces on the gymnast’s body which can cause long-term damage or injuries.
The intense focus that is required to complete the dead loop can cause psychological pressure on gymnasts.
Who was the Korbut flip named after?
The dead loop is also known as the Korbut flip.
It is named after the Soviet gymnast Olga Korbut, and was first introduced in the 1972 Munich Olympics.
This skill became a signature move for Korbut and inspired many gymnasts around the world.
Because of it, she won four gold medals and two silver medals at the 1972 and 1976 Games for the Soviet team
Who has performed the dead loop?
Over the years, several gymnasts have managed to master this difficult move.
These five athletes all competed in the 70s and 80s and were known for the dead loop:
Radka Zemanova – A Czechoslovakian gymnast who was known for her performances on uneven bars, including the dead loop.
Steffi Kraker – A German gymnast who won a silver medal at the 1980 Moscow Olympics.
Natalia Shaposhnikova – This Soviet gymnast was a two-time Olympic gold medalist and a four-time World Champion.
Emily May – This Australian gymnast was known for her bold and energetic routines.
Lyubov Bogdanova – Another Soviet gymnast who executed the dead loop in her uneven bars routines.
The dead loop is named after Olga Korbut BBC
Which moves have replaced the dead loop?
After the dead loop was banned, a number of new moves were introduced.
All of them are designed to show off a gymnast’s skill and perfect timing:
Tkatchev – This manoeuvre is named after the Russian gymnast Aleksandr Tkatchev and is performed on uneven bars.
Gienger – German gymnast Eberhard Gienger developed this move and it involves a backflip with a half twist before re-grasping the bar.
Bhardwaj – This incredible move was created by Indian-American gymnast Mohini Bhardwaj and involves a full twisting Pak salto between the bars on the uneven bars.
What's happening today at The Games?
WHAT TO WATCH TODAY
TODAY’S BRIT MEDAL HOPES
Keely Hodgkinson is among the favourites to win gold in the women’s 800m final (8.45pm), three years on from silver in Tokyo.
Kimberley Woods, Mallory Franklin and Joe Clarke could secure a triple-header in the maiden Olympic kayak cross finals (3.55pm).
GB will hope to retain their triathlon mixed relay (7am) and the women’s cycling team sprint (6.55pm) offers a real medal chance on the opening day in the velodrome.
BRITS TO WATCH
The sport climbing gets underway with four Brits – Hamish McArthur and 19-year-old sensation Toby Roberts starting with their bouldering in the boulder and lead event (9am).
And the women’s hockey team face a nightmare quarter-final against the all-conquering Dutch (4.30pm).
GLOBAL STARS TODAY
Sweden’s Mondo Duplantis will try and break his own latest world record once again in the men’s paul vault final (6pm).
The men’s football reaches the semi-finals with hosts France facing Egypt (8pm) after Spain vs Morocco (5pm).
And this will be the last we see of Simone Biles in Paris. She is set to go in the women’s balance beam (11.30am) and floor finals (1.20pm).
FANCY SOMETHING DIFFERENT?
It is the final day for both the 3×3 basketball and the surfing.
The 3×3 basketball finishes with the gold medal matches from 9pm at La Concorde.
Over in Tahiti, Gabriel Medina appeared to defy gravity with THAT incredible levitating photo and has a shot at gold today.
STATS MAD
0 – A rule change to the artistic swimming (formerly synchronised swimming) means men are now able to compete in the team event for the first time in Olympics history… but the new legislation only came in 18 months and precisely ZERO males were selected.
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