Making it look easy..

[stevej37]

Simone....incredible.

[flipper35]

Makes you wonder what they could clear if there was a high jump bar there.

[stevej37]

I may be wrong, but it looks to me like there is some kind of a springy spot before the last jump and twist. I don't follow this sport..but from what I've seen, she is amazing.

[Tobra]

It is a padded mat on a spring floor

[stevej37]

^^^ the whole approach?...or just the last bit before the big jump?

[Sooner or later]

https://slate.com/culture/2016/08/the-gymnastics-floor-at-the-2016-olympics-has-literal-springs-beneath-it.html

The floor at the 2016 Olympics measures 14-by-14 meters and consists of three layers. The “base layer” consists of “sustainably sourced plywood … over 2,000 optimally positioned springs to provide a consistent response.” Each spring measures 11.3 centimeters in height. The “intermediate layer” is made of “high-density interlocking foam panels giving increased levels of comfort and shock absorption.” The “performance layer”—the carpet at the top—“consists of several strips joined together by hook and loop fastener bands.”

[stevej37]

In the slo-mo video....just watching her foot depth on the floor, it looks like there is more spring at the end.
Maybe because she is jumping harder at that point?

[Sooner or later]

Watch the fringe of the mat when she makes the last landing. Moving some air.

[stevej37]

The 1:10 mark makes me think one part is diff from the rest.

[stevej37]

If there was a vote...I would pick her for 'best athlete in the USA'

[stevej37]

^^^ Any other suggestions?....prob not.

[Tobra]

It is because she was moving ridiculously fast and landed on just the forefoot which concentrated the force in a small area so the mat was more compressed.

You need to keep in mind that an Olympic athlete is not like a normal human being, and world class gymnast is not like a normal Olympic athlete.

That little lady is tougher both physically and mentally than any man you have ever seen.

I guarantee it.

[stevej37]

^^^ agree

[rfuerst911sc]

She is one impressive athlete/woman/sportsman . Seems like a happy go lucky gal but tough as nails . I wish her the best in the Olympics . Any US citizen should be proud she represents our country .

[stevej37]

^^^ Very true.
Watching the last segment on Sunday...they said her least favorite part was the uneven bars.
She went on to crush that category also.

[onewhippedpuppy]

Originally Posted by rfuerst911sc

She is one impressive athlete/woman/sportsman . Seems like a happy go lucky gal but tough as nails . I wish her the best in the Olympics . Any US citizen should be proud she represents our country .

That’s a damn true statement. My daughter did competitive gymnastics for a few years, even at the youth level they could do things that amazed me. At this level it’s damn near supernatural.

[thor66]

The thing is: she is rel. old at 24 for a gymnast. AND she is way out beyond any other gymnast.

[PorscheGAL]

I spent some time coaching competitive gymnastics (not to her level) but still and I have built a floor much like the video. That darker blue mat she lands on is sort of like memory foam to reduce shock on impact. The floor is quite bouncy to even walk across.

Simone Biles is like no other and it may be a long time before any other female can do what she does. She really is doing skills the men do.

And to think she started out life being born to a drug addict mother and raised by her grandparents. She really is an inspiration on the mat and off.

[wdfifteen]

Watching her defy gravity is mesmerizing. It's like she's made of helium.

[stevej37]

This one is just unbelievable....