The Dead Loop: Dangerous Gymnastics Move Only Performed Once 50 Years Ago Has Been Banned Ever Since

Shortly after the Olympic gold medallist’s stunning performance in the 1972 Munich Olympics, the ‘Dead Loop’ was banned from gymnastics and never performed in high-level international sporting competitions again.

The dead loop or Korbut flip is a gymnastics skill performed on either of two different apparatus. Both were first performed internationally by the Soviet gymnast Olga Korbut.

The more spectacular version of the skill used to be performed on the uneven bars, where the gymnast, from a stand on the high bar, performs a back flip and regrasps the bar. Korbut performed the move at the 1972 Summer Olympics, where it was the first backward release move performed on the uneven bars in international competition. In 1977, Soviet gymnast Elena Mukhina modified the flip by adding a full twist. The movement was later modified in the 1980s when it was performed towards the low bar; that is, the gymnast's flip takes place above the low bar. The Code of Points was later modified to ban standing on the high bar during routines.

The skill is also performed on the balance beam. The move is performed from a standing position and is landed in a straddled position on the beam. This movement has been modified to include twists and piked or tucked legs and is frequently performed in sequence with other movements. Unlike its counterpart on the uneven bars, the Korbut flip on beam is today considered a relatively simple skill, valued at only a “B” level in the 2017 Code of Points.

Olga is currently living in Scottsdale, Arizona. She is currently retired and enjoying a healthy life. In 2017, Olga sold off the medals she had won at an auction.

There were rumors that the Olympian was broke. However, auctioneer Elon Werner dismissed these claims. He said: “She’s fine financially. She just wants to pass on the medals to people that will enjoy them, celebrate her accomplishments, things like that.”

Meanwhile, speaking to Associated Press, Olga said: “This is Olympic history and I would like to share with the whole world. They helped to make it history and make it live forever. This is how I wanted to share with the people.”