No One Can Beat Simone Biles So Now They Want to Change the Rules
By Extra-Ordinary Women
In the world of gymnastics, few names resonate as powerfully as Simone Biles. Her journey through the gymnastics arena has been nothing short of awe-inspiring. In August 2019, at the US National Championships, Biles left the world spellbound with her remarkable performance, clinching victory in the all-around competition. However, it wasn’t just her victory that shook the gymnastics community; it was her incredible triple-twisting double somersault during her floor routine that changed the game.
This move was so intricate and daring that judges unanimously agreed that it deserved a “J” rating on the international A-I scale for difficulty. This extraordinary feat prompted the International Gymnastics Federation (FIG) to revisit and revise their ranking system, acknowledging the unquestionable difficulty of Biles’ performance. Thus, “The Biles II” was born, officially named after her flawless execution of it at the World Gymnastics Championship qualifying round on October 5.
However, Simone Biles’ repertoire of groundbreaking moves doesn’t end there. She also boasts “The Biles,” a double-twisting, double somersault dismount from the balance beam, a feat so astounding that it left spectators in sheer amazement. Yet, despite its incredible difficulty, FIG assigned it a “H” rating, a decision that raised eyebrows within the gymnastics community.
FIG justified this rating by citing increased risks associated with “The Biles,” including the potential for a neck injury upon landing. However, in the eyes of the layperson, nearly every gymnastics move carries some risk of injury. This situation eerily echoes a recurring theme across various sectors: the creation of rules to stifle excellence.
In the realm of sports, we can recall how the NCAA banned slam dunks for several years in response to the dominance of UCLA’s 7’2″ center Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (then named Lew Alcindor). They cited safety concerns and equipment damage, but it was evident that Alcindor’s prowess was a significant factor. Similarly, the NCAA attempted to impose a bachelor’s degree requirement on sports agents, often referred to as the “Rich Paul Rule.” This rule was later repealed, but it underscored a tendency to hinder success.
This “change the rules if you can’t beat them” mantra isn’t confined to sports. In politics, preclearance requirements for jurisdictions with a history of racial discrimination were overturned, leading to increased voter purges. In business, battles continue over labeling plant-based products like almond and soy milk, and restaurant owners push for laws to limit competition from food trucks.
Even in professions like hair braiding, regulations have been used to limit competition. An African hair braider in Utah found herself fighting the state cosmetology board’s requirement to attend cosmetology school, despite the program’s lack of relevant instruction.
Instead of seeking to limit excellence, what if our response to it was to strive for even greater excellence, merit, and achievement? This would mark a departure from our current paradigm, where we often root for the underdog while inadvertently sabotaging their success. The odds that athletes like Simone Biles or professionals like Rich Paul must overcome are already monumental. Thus, let us replace the status quo with a new rule: “If you can’t beat them, do better.”
In a world where the pursuit of excellence should be celebrated and encouraged, let us embrace the challenges, innovate, and rise to the occasion. By doing so, we can all contribute to a society where greatness is revered, rather than restricted, and where the pursuit of excellence knows no bounds.