CELEBRITY
Former United States national team gymnast MyKayla Skinner has made a drastic social media move involving Simone Biles that has not gone down well with fans of the sport
The Olympic gymnastics community is buzzing with news of a social media spat involving former US international competitor MyKayla Skinner and her ex-teammate, the legendary Simone Biles. The kerfuffle came to light when Jordan Chiles, another member of Biles’ squad, shared a screenshot on Instagram on Wednesday, revealing that Skinner had blocked Biles in the aftermath of their spat.
Chiles posted an image with the caption “When she blocks Simone.” The was not well-received by fans who swiftly defended Biles, hinting that retired competitors like Skinner shouldn’t stir drama within the Olympic team’s ranks.
Adding to her already stellar record, Biles triumphed at the Paris 2024 Olympics on Tuesday. She made history as the first American gymnast to collect a total of eight Olympic medals after delivering an unforgettable floor routine donning a dazzling $3,000 leotard, studded with 3,423 Swarovski crystals, further solidifying her status as one of gymnastics’ greatest.
Skinner, who was part of the victorious 2014 World Championships squad and bagged a vault silver in the Tokyo 2020 Games, had previously sparked controversy with her sharp comments about Biles’ current teammates – Chiles, Jade Carey, Suni Lee, and Hezly Rivera.
In what has been scrubbed from Twitter, Skinner opined, “Besides Simone, I feel like the talent and the depth just isn’t like what it used to be. The girls just don’t have the work ethic.”
Biles hit back on social media, declaring, “Not everyone needs a mic and a platform.”
Skinner then took to her YouTube channel for an official apology, which happens to showcase Biles in her behind-the-scenes footage of the Tokyo Olympics. Skinner said: “I want to formally apologize to Team USA and to our gymnastic community for my comments during my recent YouTube episodes of the gymnastics Olympic trials. It was not my intention to offend or disrespect any of the athletes or to take away from their hard work.
“Reflecting on it, I realize I was comparing the Marta [Karolyi] era to now. I’m beginning to understand that I haven’t completely processed the emotional and verbal abuse I went through with Marta, which probably influenced my insensitive words. I fully own up to what I said and am truly sorry.
After securing gold, Biles subtly referenced the remarks, using the caption “Lack of talent, lazy, Olympic champions,” on her celebratory image alongside her teammates, with the US flag as a backdrop, to which the Parisian crowd responded with adulation. The public showed unwavering support for Biles, bolstered by Chiles’ comment on the post that raked in upwards of 42k likes.
The post garnered backing from numerous celebrities, among them Biles’ NFL star spouse Jonathan Owens, R&B sensation SZA, and ex-Team USA gymnast Laurie Hernandez. Olympic legends Dominique Moceanu and Michelle Kwan joined the chorus of approval, with Kwan remarking, “Four-letter word for all the haters-G.O.A.T. Bravo.”
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