The Balance Beam: The Height of Grace and Skill
The balance beam is an apparatus used in artistic gymnastic competitions by female gymnasts. In the early days of women’s gymnastics, the balance beam was used mostly for dance moves even at the elite level. Routines consisted of dance poses mixed with handstands, leaps, rolls, and walkovers. The back handspring was the most difficult move the average female Olympic gymnast performed as late as the 1960s. Olga Korbut and Nadia Comaneci changed all that in the 1970s. These pioneering athletes successfully performed complex tumbling routines on the balance beam that incorporated daring aerial moves. Other gymnasts quickly followed suit. Advances in beam design facilitated this change. Suede-covered beams replaced slippery wooden beams, allowing much more difficult maneuvers than could be performed before. Balance beam routines today combine amazing leaps with beautiful dance elements and truly astounding aerial acrobatic skills.
admin @ June 19, 2008
