Every time I watch the balance beam events

[milestogo]

I can't help thinking what happens if a girl falls with the beam between her legs.

I was afraid of it in high school for the same reason.

[hlthe2b]

1. A lot less than would happen if they land on their head or spine on a difficult dismount

[lark]

5. Yep, head and neck injuries are the worst from this event.

Speaking as the mother of a previous Jr. Olympics gymnast, it's beyond terrifying when your child falls on her head and off the beam and for a second, you don't even know if she's still alive.

[northoftheborder]

2. To me, the balance beam looks the most dangerous of all the apparatus, and the most difficult.

[lpbk2713]

3. I don't know how they can do the uneven bars.

Their lower torso slams into that lower bar with all that momentum.

Ouch.

[lark]

6. Actually, my daughter loved the uneven bars, it was by far her favorite event.

It's way safer than any of the other apparatus, outside of floor, but on floor you have to do those huge tumbling runs and those are so dangerous too. But those 2 were her favorites, lots more fun, way less scary.

[EYESORE 9001]

4. Males don't want that to happen either

Sometimes I bring tears to my eyes if I sit down in a chair without first checking that the ‘arrangement’ is satisfactory.

[Hoyt]

7. Balance Beam just looks dangerous. Doubt I could walk/sit on one, much less flip and stick it.

[milestogo]

9. Any kind of fall on a smooth hard wood beam would be enough to break bone.

Ugh, I'm sure it happens once in a while.

[marie999]

8. I can't watch the balance beam events, I am afraid to see someone hurt.

[3catwoman3]

10. The balance beam does not look like something...

…the human body is meant to do.

Neither does the butterfly stroke.