Simone Biles has defended her decision to publicly call out MyKayla Skinner, despite Skinner’s pleas for her to desist. Biles believes that by doing so, she has empowered her fellow gymnasts to assert themselves. This controversy traces back to Skinner’s earlier comments, where she implied that the US gymnastics team lacked effort, a statement that did not sit well with Biles.
Following the US team’s gold medal win at the Paris Olympics, Biles posted a photo on social media with the caption, “Lack of talent, lazy Olympic champions,” a direct reference to Skinner’s previous remarks. Biles told *People* that it was crucial to stand up for her younger teammates who had not yet fully found their voice. She felt it was important to be a spokesperson for them, even if it meant drawing public attention to the issue. “It’s important because you have to teach them to use their voices. And if not, you’re a voice for the voiceless, which is okay. I just felt like it was right in that moment to stand up for them because they’re so young and they haven’t fully stood in their power yet. For somebody to stand up, I know it meant a lot for my teammates,” Biles explained.
In response, Skinner took to Instagram to share her distress over the backlash she has received, which escalated to death threats directed at her and her family. In a heartfelt video, Skinner addressed Biles directly, pleading with her to put an end to the conflict. Skinner expressed regret over her previous comments, clarifying that her intention was not to disparage the team but to comment on work ethic trends among the younger generation. She acknowledged her poor articulation of the point she was trying to make and stressed that she never intended to harm or offend the US Olympic Team.
“I sincerely hoped that this topic wouldn’t have to be revisited, but unfortunately, things have really gotten out of hand lately,” Skinner said. “So, to Simone, I am asking you directly and publicly to please put a stop to this.” Skinner went on to elaborate that she had made a comment about work ethic four weeks prior, intending to address broader generational trends rather than the specific efforts of the Olympic team. She took full responsibility for her poor choice of words and emphasized that she deeply respects the women on the team, many of whom are her former teammates.
In her apology, Skinner mentioned that she had posted a video and written apologies on Instagram, as well as sent individual messages to each team member. While only Biles had responded, expressing pride in Skinner’s apology, Skinner was blindsided by Biles’ subsequent social media post, which reignited the controversy. “You guys can imagine my surprise last week when I was celebrating our team winning gold, just to see this all brought up all over again by a caption on an Instagram post,” Skinner said. “If Simone truly believes that I called our team lazy and lacking talent and that’s how she really feels, I am really heartbroken over it.”
Skinner emphasized that her feelings of heartbreak were not just about the misunderstanding but also about the hate that Biles’ post had incited. She reported receiving a surge of hateful comments, messages, and even death threats towards her and her family. Skinner appealed to Biles to help mitigate the situation by asking her followers to cease their hostile actions. “My family and my friends don’t deserve to be caught in the crossfire here. They’ve done nothing,” she implored. “So, to Simone, I am asking you directly and publicly to please put a stop to this. Please ask your followers to stop.”
The conflict highlights the intense scrutiny and pressure faced by public figures, especially in the world of competitive sports. It also underscores the power of social media to amplify disputes and the responsibility that comes with a large following. While Biles aimed to support her teammates by calling out what she saw as unfair criticism, the ensuing backlash against Skinner demonstrates the complex dynamics of public accountability and the potential for unintended consequences.
