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balance beam
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Suni Lee of Team United States performs a split leap on the balance beam during the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games, wearing a navy leotard with red and silver accents. Balance beam Performing on the balance beam. Simone Biles performs a mid-air flip above the balance beam during the women's gymnastics team final at the 2016 Rio Olympics, with a crowd in the background. Simone Biles of the United States performs a split leap on the balance beam during women's team all-around gymnastics at the Rio 2016 Olympic Games, with a crowd in the background. Simone Biles of Team United States in a blue leotard performs a move on the uneven bars, gripping the bar with one hand and looking focused during competition. Simone Biles of Team United States performs a flip above the balance beam during the Women's Balance Beam Final at the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games. Nadia Comaneci of Romania, in a white leotard with colored stripes, balances gracefully on the balance beam during her gymnastics routine at the 1976 Montreal Olympics.
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Suni Lee on the balance beam at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics
Suni Lee on the balance beam at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics Lee is the first Hmong American to compete and medal in the Olympic Games.

balance beam

gymnastics
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Balance beam
Balance beamDimensions of the balance beam.

balance beam, gymnastics apparatus used in women’s competition. It is a wooden beam 5 meters (16.4 feet) long, 10 cm (4 inches) wide, and raised 125 cm (4.1 feet) from the floor. The performer begins the exercise by mounting the beam by either a vault or a jump and executes movements that must include steps, running, jumps, turns, sitting positions, and some held, or posed, positions. The duration of the exercise is 70 to 90 seconds. Women were first awarded individual Olympic medals in the event at the 1952 Games.

The Editors of Encyclopaedia BritannicaThis article was most recently revised and updated by Will Gosner.
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