the Biles

In gymnastics, it is traditional to name a maneuver after the first gymnast to successfully perform it in competition. Examples include the Liukin (a type of front salto named after Nastia Liukin) and the Yurchenko (a vaulting maneuver and its variants, named after Natalia Yurchenko). Simone Biles is the only female gymnast to ever perform the Yurchenko double pike vault in competition.

The four moves named after Biles are officially recognized by the governing body of gymnastics, the International Gymnastics Federation (FIG).

The first time Simone Biles performed a move now called the Biles was at the 2013 world championships during the floor exercise competition. The second was during the 2018 world championships during the vault competition. The third and fourth moves named for her were both first performed during the 2019 world championships. A new maneuver that Biles debuted during the floor exercise competition was named the Biles II, since Biles already had a floor exercise move named for her. Later during the event, Biles performed another new maneuver during the beam competition.

At the time, the FIG gave the beam version of the Biles a difficulty rating that was lower than expected for a move so advanced (thus limiting its point value when performed in competition). The FIG later issued a statement saying that the lower rating was meant to discourage attempts of the Biles due to the maneuver supposedly being so difficult that other gymnasts might injure themselves trying to perform it. The FIG’s decision was widely criticized, including by Biles herself, other gymnasts, and gymnastics officials.