The backflip in figure skating was banned in 1977 by the International Skating Union (ISU), shortly after it had been performed in major competitions in 1976.

Quick timeline

  • 1976: American skater Terry Kubicka performs a backflip at the 1976 Winter Olympics and World Championships.
  • 1977: ISU formally bans the backflip (and similar “somersault type jumps”) in competition, citing safety concerns and the principle that jumps should land on one foot.
  • 1977–2024: Backflips remain an “illegal element” in ISU competition but continue in shows and exhibitions.
  • 2024: ISU removes backflips from the restricted list, allowing them again as non-scoring choreographic elements starting with the 2024–25 season.

So, to directly match your question “when was the backflip banned in figure skating”: it was banned in 1977 and stayed illegal in competition for nearly 50 years.

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