Simone Biles bids farewell to iconic gymnastic move that scared her, Internet calls her 'vault queen'

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA: Simone Biles, America's most-decorated Olympic gymnast, has officially retired the signature move that brought her both fame and multiple gold medals.

Just one month after her triumphant performance in the Paris Olympics, where she claimed three golds and one silver, Biles, 27, announced she would no longer perform the Yurchenko Double Pike—a move that has become synonymous with her name and legacy in the sport.

Simone Biles retires the Yurchenko Double Pike

The Yurchenko Double Pike, also known as the Biles II, is recognized as the hardest vault in women's gymnastics.

This formidable skill involves a Yurchenko-style entry, named after Soviet world champion Natalia Yurchenko, followed by two aerial flips—a maneuver that only Biles has ever performed at the elite level.

Biles also incorporated the move into her floor exercise routine at the Paris Olympics, where it helped her secure the all-around gold.

While most gymnasts perform the Yurchenko vault with a single flip, Biles elevated it by becoming the first woman to execute this highly challenging move with two flips.

Despite its awe-inspiring nature, the vault also presented significant personal challenges for Biles.

She openly discussed her struggles with the skill in her docuseries, 'Simone vs Herself,' revealing the persistent anxiety it caused her.

"Usually, when you do a new skill, you're scared the first couple of times, and then you kind of get used to it," Biles said. "But every time I stand down at that vault runway, I'm like praying."

She highlighted the vault's inherent risks, adding, "The scariest thing for me off the table is making sure I have a good grip on my leg. Because, if not, it can slip, and then that's when the mistakes usually happen."

Simone Biles pays heartfelt tribute to her signature move 

In a bittersweet farewell, Simone Biles announced she would no longer be performing the move on her Instagram story with a poignant post: "R.I.P Yurchenko Double Pike," accompanied by tombstone emojis.

She shared a symbolic image of herself in an all-white Athleta set, posed atop a vault table designed to resemble a coffin, surrounded by white floral arrangements.

Although the skill may no longer be part of her repertoire, Biles is far from finished captivating audiences. She’s set to embark on the Gold Over America Tour, a nationwide gymnastics exhibition beginning September 16 in Oceanside, California.

The tour will showcase a stellar lineup of gymnastic stars, including Biles and her gold-medal-winning USA teammates Jade Carey, Jordan Chiles, and Hezly Rivera, spanning 30 stops across the US before concluding in Detroit on November 3.

Fans call Simone Biles the 'vault queen'

Fans flooded Simone Biles' Instagram post with heartfelt messages, expressing both admiration and gratitude for the awe-inspiring performances that made this iconic move legendary.

@USAGym, the official page for US gymnastics, commented, "Gone, but literally never forgotten."

Another fan said, "Sis said get somebody else to do it… we thank you for your services, Simone! 😘🐐"

One viewer noted, "Vault Queen! 🔥 Take a bow! You deserve your flowers! ❤️💐"

A follower observed, "Girl you killed it. Literally." One comment read, "It makes sense you literally Killed that vault 🐐❤️🔥" Another comment read, "I’m crying this is gold."

"She OWNS the vault and she knows it. Petition to rename the entire event to 'The Biles,'" explained one person.

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