On Tuesday at the Paris Olympics, the US Women’s gymnastics team won gold and gave Simone Biles her fifth Olympic victory. The collective triumph was the result of years of hard work in a sport that is brutally competitive.
So why did Biles celebrate the victory on her Instagram account with a photo of the five-woman team and this caption: “lack of talent, lazy, olympic champions”?
Who called the US gymnastics team lazy?
Biles was throwing some shade towards Tokyo 2020 Olympic silver medalist and former teammate MyKayla Skinner. Following the US gymnastics trials in June, Skinner criticised the work ethic of those who qualified for the Olympics, including gymnast Suni Lee.
“Besides Simone, I feel like the talent and depth isn’t what it used to be,” she said. “…. A lot of girls don’t work hard…”
To get to where you want to be in gymnastics you have to be “a little aggressive and a little intense,” she added.
Skinner blamed the US Center for SafeSport for preventing coaches from churning out elite gymnastics. The non-profit was set up to stop emotional, physical and sexual abuse in sports, especially when minors are involved.
Did MyKayla Skinner apologise?
The YouTube video sparked a controversy at the time. Three days later, Skinner apologised for her comments, telling the Paris qualifiers that “your hard work and dedication has paid off…”
Skinner partly blamed her own trauma from the “Marta era” for the harsh comments. Márta Károly is a US national gymnastics coach accused of beating gymnasts for errors when she coached the Hungarian team in the 1970s.
Károly was also accused of turning a blind eye to the sexual abuse of young gymnasts by former US team doctor Larry Nassar. Hundreds of young women and girls, including Biles, say they were abused by Nassar. He is now in prison.
Does MyKala Skinner have an Olympic medal?
Skinner won an Olympic silver medal in the vault at the Tokyo Olympics. Biles famously withdrew from the event at the last minute citing mental health concerns. The withdrawal gave Skinner her spot in the vault competition.
Why did MyKala Skinner retire?
Skinner retired following the Tokyo Olympics in 2021 to finish a degree in journalism.
“I am not getting any younger and my body definitely needs a rest after this last comeback,” she wrote in an Instagram post. She had her first baby in 2023.
Has Skinner responded to Biles’ Instagram post?
Current teammates and former Olympians have thrown their support behind Biles’ clap back at Skinner in the post’s comment including Olympic Gold medalist McKayla Rose Maroney. “It doesn’t get more iconic than this…” Maroney wrote. “Feels like I need to apologize just to redeem my first name.”
Skinner now appears to have blocked Biles on Instagram, according to Jordan Chiles, another US Olympic gymnast who competed in Paris.
News
The Kelce brothers have been named PEOPLE’s ‘Sexiest Podcast Hosts’ of 2024 😎😎 – v
Travis Kelce Shows Off Vocals On Jason’s New Christmas Track. Taylor Swift ain’t the only one with vocals in her relationship … turns out, Travis Kelce can croon too!! The Kansas City Chiefs star showed off his pipes for a song on Jason Kelce and…
Patrick Mahomes Trolls Travis Kelce as Texas Tech Escapes Cincinnati in a 44-41 Thriller – v
Patrick Mahomes Trolls Travis Kelce as Texas Tech Escapes Cincinnati in a 44-41 Thriller In a college football weekend dominated by marquee matchups like Alabama vs. Georgia, Kansas City Chiefs superstars Patrick Mahomes and Travis Kelce had their sights set…
Andy Reid and Patrick Mahomes at the 15 And The Mahomies Foundation Gala -v
Andy Reid and Patrick Mahomes at the 15 And The Mahomies Foundation Gala . Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes completed a pass to Mecole Hardman on Monday away from the football field. In fact, it was in the Loews Kansas City…
Mahomes vs. Mayfield: Why Every Matchup is a Must-Watch Thriller in the NFL – v
Mahomes vs. Mayfield: Why Every Matchup is a Must-Watch Thriller in the NFL When Patrick Mahomes of the Kansas City Chiefs faces Baker Mayfield of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, fans can expect an electrifying showdown. The two quarterbacks have a…
Brittany Mahomes’ Son Bronze Meets His Match: The Adorable Showdown With a Dandelion! – v
Brittany Mahomes’ Son Bronze Meets His Match: The Adorable Showdown With a Dandelion! Brittany Mahomes never fails to share the most heartwarming moments from her life with Patrick Mahomes and their adorable children. On November 2, she took to her…
(VIDEO) Beyoncé is devastated after shocking photos of Diddy at a private party were leaked – v
(VIDEO) Beyoncé is devastated after shocking photos of Diddy at a private party were leaked. (LOOK) In a surprising turn of events, exclusive photos from a private party attended by music mogul Sean “Diddy” Combs have leaked, reportedly leaving Beyoncé…
End of content
No more pages to load