MyKayla Skinner and Simone Biles Jamie Squire/Getty Photos
Simone Biles and MyKayla Skinner had a historical past lengthy earlier than the retired gymnast’s controversial feedback about Group USA’s work ethic.
“Moreover Simone, I really feel just like the expertise and the depth simply isn’t what it was. I imply, clearly, quite a lot of ladies don’t work as exhausting. The ladies simply don’t have the work ethic,” Skinner, 27, mentioned in a since-deleted YouTube video late final month. “Plenty of ladies don’t work as exhausting.”
Skinner added that the U.S. Heart for SafeSport, an unbiased group responding “to sexual, bodily, and emotional abuse” within the U.S. Olympic and Paralympic motion, makes it more durable for coaches to push their athletes to Olympic ranges.
“Coaches can’t get on athletes which in some methods is de facto good however on the identical time, to get to the place it is advisable to be in gymnastics you do must be … somewhat aggressive, somewhat intense,” the Olympic silver medalist defined in June.
Skinner since apologized for her statements, saying she had been “misinterpreted” and “misunderstood,” including that she “wasn’t at all times essentially [talking] concerning the present workforce.”
Earlier than going for gold within the Olympics, Simone Biles overcame a childhood that wasn’t at all times simple. The gymnast spent practically three years in foster care earlier than her grandparents Ronald and Nellie Biles adopted her on the age of 6. As soon as she discovered a secure residence in Texas, Simone found gymnastics and labored her solution to […]
Nevertheless, her feedback prompted responses from a number of gymnasts who will symbolize Group USA on the 2024 Paris Olympics in July, together with Biles, who appeared to reply to her former teammate as effectively.
“Not everybody wants a mic and a platform,” Biles wrote by way of Threads on Tuesday, July 3.
Biles was one in every of many gymnasts who testified towards Larry Nassar, a USA Gymnastics physician convicted of first-degree sexual assault. Nassar’s scandal, by which over 250 gymnasts accused him of sexual abuse below the guise of medical therapy, led to the U.S. Heart for SafeSport being created.
Skinner retired from gymnastics in August 2021 following the Tokyo Olympics, for which she represented Group USA after Biles needed to step away because of the “twisties.”
The 2024 Olympic Video games are drawing close to, and 5 U.S. gymnasts simply purchased their tickets to Paris. After 4 days of trials, the ladies’s gymnastics workforce was formally revealed on June 30. Led by Olympic veteran Simone Biles, the power-packed workforce is able to dwell as much as their legacy. Alongside Biles is Tokyo’s reigning all-around […]
Preserve scrolling to learn extra about Skinner and Biles’ historical past:
March 2015
Skinner positioned second behind Biles on the 2015 AT&T American Cup, held in Arlington, Texas.
Lauren Hernandez, MyKayla Skinner, Simone Biles, Ragan Smith (Again Row) Ashton Locklear, Alexandra Raisman, Madison Kocian, and Gabrielle Douglas Ronald Martinez/Getty Photos
August 2016
Skinner traveled to Rio as an alternate whereas Biles gained her first Olympic gold medals.
July 2019
Skinner returned to elite-level competitors for the 2019 U.S. Traditional, the place she landed the second-highest vault rating behind Biles.
August 2019
The gymnasts met once more on the 2019 U.S. Nationwide Championships, the place Biles and Skinner certified for the U.S. Ladies’s Senior Nationwide Group, per USA Gymnastics.
September 2019
Skinner and Biles traveled to the 2019 World Championships in Stuttgart, Germany, together with teammates Grace McCallum, Sunisa Lee, Jordan Chiles and Jade Carey.
Simone Biles and MyKayla Skinner Carmen Mandato/Getty Photos
June 2021
Biles, Skinner, McCallum, Carey, Chiles and Lee have been all named to the U.S. Olympic Group following their efficiency on the Nationwide Championships.
“WE’RE GOING TO TOKYO🎉,” Biles wrote by way of Instagram on the time. “Such a surreal feeling. I can’t consider I made the olympic workforce for a 2nd time & I’m past excited to symbolize Group USA. So so pleased with everybody – that is only the start of the journey. thanks for all of the infinite help & love. I couldn’t ask for higher help 🖤.”
July 2021
Group USA competed on the Olympics in Tokyo, the place Skinner took Biles’ place within the vault last when Biles dropped out because of the “twisties,” main Skinner to take residence the silver medal.
Nevertheless, Skinner, who mentioned the Tokyo Olympics can be her final earlier than retirement, failed to maneuver past the qualifying spherical for the all-around gymnastics last.
Biles went on to share a message of help for her teammate. “So pleased with this one,” Biles wrote by way of her Instagram Story on the time. “Nobody understands the exhausting work and dedication it takes to come back again from collegiate gymnastics and make an olympic workforce.”
“You probably did the rattling factor! Thanks for reminding us that grandmas can do it too!” Biles added, joking that she and Skinner have been the “oldest” gymnasts on the age of 24. “Thanks for conserving fitness center mild hearted and enjoyable! I like you Ms Olympian.”
Skinner responded to Biles within the feedback, writing, “Don’t know what I might do with out youuuu!!! Thanks sis.”
Simone Biles and MyKayla Skinner Jamie Squire/Getty Photos
July 2024
Biles seemingly responded to controversial feedback Skinner had made concerning Group USA and their work ethic. Skinner famous that “apart from [Biles]” she felt that the “expertise and the depth” of the gymnasts “simply isn’t what it was.”
Biles seemingly responded by way of Threads, writing, “Not everybody wants a mic and a platform.”
Skinner later mentioned her feedback had been “misinterpreted” and “misunderstood,” including she “wasn’t at all times essentially [talking] concerning the present workforce.”
