Simone Biles Opens Up About HORRRIFYING Rules Gymnast Have To Follow | HO

Simone Biles has once again dazzled the world with her extraordinary talent, securing another gold medal in women’s vault at the Paris Olympics. This victory marks her third gold medal in gymnastics, a sport renowned for its incredible demands of perfection, precision, dedication, and discipline. Gymnastics, adored by over three billion people globally, is much more than the stunning performances seen in the spotlight. Behind the scenes, the sport is governed by a complex web of rules, some of which are surprisingly bizarre and extremely strict.

Gymnasts must navigate a myriad of rules that dictate every aspect of their performance, from their routines to their appearance. Here, we reveal ten of the most stringent and peculiar rules that gymnasts are compelled to follow, each adding a layer of difficulty and controversy to this intense sport.

1. Illegal Routines: Safety Over Spectacle

In gymnastics, certain moves have been deemed too dangerous and are therefore banned from competition. This rule is a direct response to past incidents where athletes suffered severe injuries or even paralysis. For example, the Thomas Salto, attempted by gymnast Elena Mukina, resulted in her becoming quadriplegic after a horrific accident in 1980. Similarly, the Corbut Flip, first performed by Olga Corbut in 1972, was banned due to its extreme risk. These moves are prohibited because they pose significant risks to athletes’ safety. The rationale behind banning such maneuvers is to prevent life-threatening accidents and ensure the well-being of competitors.

2. The Absurd Resting Elegant Face: Conceal Pain and Discomfort

Gymnasts are required to maintain a serene, composed expression throughout their routines, regardless of any physical discomfort or injury. This rule mandates that athletes hide any signs of distress to avoid affecting their performance scores. This extreme composure is essential because visible discomfort can impact how judges perceive their performance. For example, despite a visible black eye from a fall, gymnasts are expected to continue their routine as if nothing had happened. This rule underscores the demand for not only physical but also emotional control in gymnastics.

3. Keep Your Routine Secret: The Struggle for Confidentiality

Gymnasts must keep their routines a closely guarded secret. This rule is enforced to prevent competitors from learning and potentially copying signature moves. The International Gymnastics Federation (FIG) requires athletes to avoid disclosing any details about their routines, even to themselves. This level of secrecy ensures that judges are not biased by prior knowledge of a routine and helps maintain the element of surprise in performances. The confidentiality extends so far that even humming a part of their floor routine could risk disqualification.

4. Underwear Must Be Out of Sight: Aesthetic Standards

Gymnasts’ leotards are designed to fit snugly, but they must also ensure that their underwear remains invisible. The USA Gymnastics guidelines strictly prohibit visible bikini lines, lingerie, or bra straps. Gymnasts often opt not to wear underwear altogether to avoid any risk of exposure that could result in point deductions. This rule highlights the sport’s focus on appearance, emphasizing that even minor wardrobe malfunctions can impact scores.

5. Do Not Fix a Wedgie: The No-Touch Rule

Another peculiar rule forbids gymnasts from adjusting their clothing during routines, including fixing a wedgie. Despite the discomfort that might come from a wedgie, athletes are not allowed to touch their leotards while performing. The custom-fit leotards are designed to minimize such issues, but when they do occur, athletes must continue without making adjustments, as any such action would lead to point deductions.

6. Specific Grooming Requirements: Appearance Regulations

Gymnasts are subject to rigorous grooming standards. They must maintain a clean and tidy appearance, with hair pulled back tightly to avoid obstructing their view of apparatuses. Additionally, the rules stipulate minimal use of makeup and allow only a single pair of stud earrings. These grooming standards ensure that athletes look presentable and that nothing interferes with their performance. The grooming rules also include regulations on nail polish colors and other aspects of personal appearance.

7. Controlling Outfits: Strict Approval Process

Leotards worn by gymnasts must undergo an elaborate approval process before competitions. Each leotard, which can be quite expensive, is custom-designed and fitted, often requiring multiple fittings to ensure it meets both aesthetic and performance standards. The final decision on the leotard is typically made by coaches, highlighting how appearance regulations extend beyond personal preference and into professional oversight.

8. Diet Restrictions: Monitoring What Gymnasts Eat

Gymnasts must adhere to strict dietary guidelines, which regulate not only what they can eat but also how much. This controlled diet helps maintain their physical fitness and performance level. However, it also places significant restrictions on their food choices and consumption. Additionally, gymnasts are prohibited from using performance-enhancing drugs, alcohol, or illegal substances, with strict penalties for violations.

9. Expensive Appeals: Costly Challenges to Scores

Challenging a judge’s score comes with a hefty price. Gymnasts or their coaches must pay a fee to submit an appeal, with the cost increasing for multiple challenges. While a successful appeal can result in a refund of the fee, losing the challenge means losing the money. This rule discourages frivolous challenges and aims to streamline the competition process.

10. Discouraging Extraordinary Excellence: Limits on Skill Difficulty

Ironically, the sport of gymnastics, which celebrates human excellence, has rules that sometimes discourage it. Official regulations place limits on the difficulty of skills and routines, aiming to prevent athletes from pushing beyond what is deemed safe or fair. This restriction means that while gymnastics encourages exceptional talent, there are boundaries set to ensure safety and fairness in competition.

These rules, though sometimes seen as stringent or peculiar, are designed to uphold safety, fairness, and the integrity of the sport. They reflect the immense pressure and high standards that gymnasts face, all while striving to deliver performances that captivate and inspire audiences around the world.

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