Surya Bonaly's Olympic Backflip: Was It Fair?

Figure skater Surya Bonaly did amazing backflips in the 1990s, but she lost points because the rules said it was not allowed. Now, people are talking about if this was fair, especially since other skaters are doing backflips today.
By Newsroom | Sports, Figure Skating |

Figure skating is experiencing a moment of renewed interest in the backflip, a daring maneuver. Recent events have brought Surya Bonaly, a French figure skater from the 1990s, back into public discussion. Her bold backflips, once a signature move, are now being re-examined as Ilia Malinin, an American skater, recently performed a similar jump in a major competition. This has led many to wonder about the history and rules surrounding such athletic feats, and whether Bonaly received a just assessment for her pioneering efforts.

“The Olympic Committee Owes Her An Apology And A Gold Medal": Figure Skating Icon Surya Bonaly Is Going Viral For Her '90s Backflips, And Here's What You Need To Know About The Legend - 1

The Backflip's Place in Figure Skating History

The discussion around Bonaly's backflips is not new. She was a prominent competitor in the 1990s, known for her powerful and innovative skating style. Her signature move was the backflip, a maneuver that, at the time, was not explicitly allowed and often resulted in deductions. Despite this, Bonaly continued to perform it, captivating audiences with her athleticism.

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“The Olympic Committee Owes Her An Apology And A Gold Medal": Figure Skating Icon Surya Bonaly Is Going Viral For Her '90s Backflips, And Here's What You Need To Know About The Legend - 2

  • Bonaly's Accomplishments: She achieved significant success, including three World silver medals, five European championships, and nine French national titles.

  • The Backflip Controversy: While her backflips were crowd-pleasers, they came with a price. The rules at the time often led to penalties for such "illegal" or "non-standard" moves.

  • Modern Echoes: The recent performance of a backflip by Ilia Malinin in a major competition has brought the debate full circle. Malinin's jump was met with admiration, highlighting the evolving perception of athletic risk and skill in the sport.

Examining the Rules and Their Application

The core of the renewed discussion centers on the rules governing figure skating and how they were applied to Surya Bonaly. While Ilia Malinin's recent backflip garnered attention, the penalties, if any, for his move are not detailed in the provided text. However, for Bonaly, it is clear that her execution of the backflip resulted in deductions.

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“The Olympic Committee Owes Her An Apology And A Gold Medal": Figure Skating Icon Surya Bonaly Is Going Viral For Her '90s Backflips, And Here's What You Need To Know About The Legend - 3

"She did receive a deduction for performing the illegal trick."

This statement from Article 1 suggests a clear rule was in place that penalized the backflip. However, the implication is whether this rule was applied fairly, or if it unfairly held back an athlete pushing the boundaries of the sport.

  • The "Illegal Trick": The term "illegal trick" points to a rule against the backflip during Bonaly's era.

  • Deductions: The fact that Bonaly received deductions indicates the rule was actively enforced.

  • Evolving Sport: The current environment, where Malinin's backflip is discussed with awe rather than immediate condemnation, suggests a shift in how such moves are viewed within the sport's governing bodies.

The Legacy of a Pioneer

The resurfacing of interest in Surya Bonaly's career highlights her impact beyond just medals and titles. For many, she represented a symbol of determination and a willingness to challenge norms.

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  • Inspiration: Article 2, though brief, alludes to Bonaly teaching "Black millennials an early lesson: Be different anyway." This suggests her influence extended to cultural and social spheres, encouraging individuality.

  • Public Sentiment: The headline from Article 2, "The Olympic Committee Owes Her An Apology And A Gold Medal," reflects a public sentiment that Bonaly may have been unfairly penalized for her innovative approach. This sentiment, amplified by recent events, calls for a re-evaluation of her competitive history.

Conclusion: A Look Back at Fairness

The current wave of attention surrounding Surya Bonaly's backflips, spurred by Ilia Malinin's recent performance, raises pertinent questions about the historical application of figure skating rules. While Bonaly's moves were penalized, the changing landscape of the sport and the public's embrace of athletic innovation invite a reconsideration of her legacy. The evidence suggests that while she may have broken rules that existed at the time, her contributions to the sport's evolution are undeniable. The lingering sentiment, echoed in various discussions, is that the sport might owe Bonaly a posthumous acknowledgment of her pioneering spirit, if not a literal medal.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Why did Surya Bonaly get points taken away for her backflips?
The rules in figure skating at the time did not allow backflips. Doing them meant skaters lost points.
Q: Are backflips allowed in figure skating now?
The rules have changed over time. Skaters like Ilia Malinin have performed backflips in competitions recently.
Q: Do people think Surya Bonaly was treated unfairly?
Yes, many people now feel she was a pioneer and should not have been penalized so harshly for her moves.
Q: What did Surya Bonaly achieve in skating?
She won many medals, including three World silver medals and five European championships.