In the world of gymnastics, few moments have become as legendary—or as controversial—as Olga Korbut’s breathtaking “dead loop” at the 1972 Munich Olympics. The move was so daring, so gravity-defying, that it left the audience in stunned silence and has since been banned from competition.
At just 17 years old, the Soviet gymnast captivated the world with her combination of strength, grace, and sheer fearlessness. Competing in the balance beam, floor exercise, and uneven bars, Korbut displayed a level of athletic artistry that changed the sport forever. But it was her performance on the uneven bars that became truly iconic.
During her routine, Korbut executed the now-infamous “dead loop,” a move that involved her throwing herself backward over the bar and catching it again mid-air—a maneuver so risky that modern gymnastics rules no longer allow it. The crowd gasped as she completed the motion flawlessly, and in that instant, gymnastics was never the same again.
The “dead loop” perfectly captured what made Olga Korbut a legend: courage, innovation, and an unshakable belief that beauty and bravery could coexist in sport. Her routines not only won her medals but also inspired generations of gymnasts to dream bigger and push the limits of possibility.
Even today, more than 50 years later, Korbut’s 1972 Olympic performance continues to astonish viewers. Watch the historic moment below and witness the move that changed gymnastics forever—the one so breathtaking, it was banned for good.