2024 U.S. Olympic Team Trials – Gymnastics - Previews — Several gymnastics skills have been banned from the sport and won't be performed at Paris Olympics 2024. (Photo: Getty)

5 gymnastics skills that won't be performed at Paris Olympics 2024 ft. Korbut Flip or 'Dead Loop'

Modified Jul 11, 2024 13:54 GMT

Gymnastics at the 2024 Paris Olympics, though a relatively less popular sport, is among the hardest due to its complex and risky nature. Several skills over the years have been banned from the sport because they tend to pose a threat to athletes’ safety if the move doesn't come off successful.

Although no loss of life has been reported, gymnasts have suffered serious injuries in the past. Some athletes also leave the sport early because of the risks involved. While several skills have been banned in the sport and won't be seen at the Games this year, some skills will also not be performed because of their outdated nature.

Here's a look at the top five gymnastics skills that won't be seen at the 2024 Paris Olympics 2024, either due to lower difficulty or because of being banned.

Gymnastics skills unlikely to be performed at the Paris Olympics

#5 Comaneci dismount

The Comaneci dismount was named after Romanian gymnast Nadia Comaneci, who performed the skill for the first time at the 1976 Olympic Games. It is performed on uneven bars where a gymnast shoots their legs off the bar and as they begin to release, they perform a half twist into a backflip. Although it wasn't banned, the skill became outdated due to a decrease in its difficulty value.

#4 Belly beats

Belly beats are also performed on uneven bars, where a gymnast swings from the high bar from the handstand position and slaps their hips onto the lower bar. It helped gymnasts gain momentum to perform their next skill, and if done perfectly, it didn't hurt them at all.

It was also mastered by Nadia Comaneci but isn't performed anymore and likely won't be seen at the Paris Olympics as other such skills with a similar difficulty have been introduced in the sport.

#3 Produnova vault

The Produnova vault is named after Russian gymnast Yelena Produnova, and due to its high risk of injury, it has earned the nickname ‘vault of death’. Performed on vault for the first time in 1999, the move comprises a front handspring done on the vaulting table and follows with two front somersaults in the air.

The skill hasn't been banned yet but due to its extreme level of difficulty and high risk of injury, it's rarely performed anymore, and likely won't be seen at the 2024 Paris Olympics.

#2 Thomas salto

The Thomas salto is banned in both men's and women's gymnastics for its high risk of injury when not landed perfectly. It was named after American gymnast Kurt Thomas, who performed it in the 1970s.

In this move, gymnasts launch themselves into the air and perform a 1.5 backward somersault combined with 1.5 twists. Before landing, they roll out their hands and torso, which makes it a highly risky move.

#1 Korbut flip

The Korbut flip is regarded as one of the riskiest and most difficult skills in the history of gymnastics. It is named after Olga Korbut, who performed it for the first time at the 1972 Olympics. It was banned in the mid-1980s over frequent injuries suffered by gymnasts while performing this skill.

In this move, a gymnast swings to handstand on the high bar and then does a backflip off the bar before catching the bar again. It's also known as 'Dead Loop'.