In the high-stakes world of gymnastics, the beam final is often regarded as one of the most challenging and nerve-wracking events. However, for the athletes competing in the most recent competition, the stress was exacerbated by an unusual and unsettling environment.

Unlike typical competitions where background music or ambient noise helps athletes stay focused and mimic the conditions of their training, this particular event was marked by an eerie silence. The only sounds that pierced the quiet were the occasional Android ringtones, camera clicks, and sporadic bursts of cheering, which only seemed to amplify the tension in the arena.

One gymnast, speaking on behalf of her fellow competitors, described the experience as “weird and awkward,” noting that the lack of background noise made it difficult to stay in the zone. “Beam final was always the most stressful,” she said, “but usually we have music or background noise, whatever that may be, and honestly we do better in environments when there’s noise going on, because it feels most like practice.”

The unexpected silence was so jarring that it even led to an odd dynamic in the audience, where attempts to shush cheering spectators only added to the disruption. “People start cheering, and then the shushing gets louder. So really, they should be shushed because they’re louder than them,” the gymnast remarked with a mix of frustration and bewilderment.

Despite repeated requests for some form of background noise to help recreate a more familiar and comfortable environment, the athletes’ pleas went unanswered. “We’ve asked several times if we could have some music or some background noise,” she explained, “so I am not really sure what happened there. But yeah, not our favorite. None of us liked it.”

In the end, the beam final will be remembered not just for the athletic performances, but for the unusual and uncomfortable silence that overshadowed the event. For the athletes, it was an experience they hope not to repeat. “It was an odd beam final,” the gymnast concluded, summing up the sentiments of all who took part.