Editing Balance beam (section)

== History ==
[[File:Daniele Hypólito 16072007.jpg|right|thumb|[[Daniele Hypólito]] performing on the balance beam in 2007]]
In the early days of women's artistic gymnastics, beam was based more on dance than in [[Tumbling (gymnastics)|tumbling]]. Even at the elite level, routines were composed of combinations of leaps, dance poses, [[handstand]]s, rolls, and walkovers. In the 1960s, the most difficult acrobatic skill performed by the average Olympic gymnast was a [[handspring (Gymnastics)#Back handspring|back handspring]].

Balance beam difficulty began to increase dramatically in the 1970s. [[Olga Korbut]] and [[Nadia Comăneci]] pioneered advanced tumbling combinations and aerial skills on beam; other athletes and coaches began to follow suit. The change was also facilitated by transitioning from wooden beams to safer, less slippery models with suede-covered surfaces and elastic padding.<ref name=":0" /> By the mid-1980s, top gymnasts routinely performed flight series and multiple aerial elements on beam.

Today, balance beam routines still consist of a mixture of acrobatic skills, dance elements, leaps, and poses, but they are significantly more difficult. It is also an individual medal competition in the Olympics.