Elena Mukhina was paralyzed by a skill she begged not to do

Elena Mukhina was one of the most promising gymnasts in the world—until a skill called the Tomas salto caused devastating injury and changed everything. In this video, we break down the full accident of Elena Mukhina’s career, the pressure leading into the injury before the 1980 Olympics, and the injury that left her paralyzed. From her rise under Mikhail Klimenko to the dangerous push for difficulty that defined Soviet gymnastics, this is the complete story of Elena Mukhina. Her injury didn’t just end a career—it exposed a system. If you’re searching for Elena Mukhina, her injury, or the truth behind what happened, this is the full story.