Biles Claps Back at Skinner’s Criticism of USA Gymnasts

Simone Biles, the legendary gymnast and now the most decorated Olympic athlete in history, has responded to criticism from her former teammate MyKayla Skinner. This all unfolded after Biles and her teammates secured the gold medal at the recent World Championships in Paris.

Skinner, who was an alternate during the Rio 2016 Olympics where Biles shined, previously shared her thoughts in a now-deleted YouTube video. She claimed that the current generation of gymnasts doesn’t match the previous teams’ work ethic, stating that besides Biles, she felt the talent and depth were lacking.

In a spirited comeback, Biles posted a photo with her fellow teammates—Sunisa Lee, Jordan Chiles, Jade Carey, and Hezly Rivera—with a cheeky caption: ‘Lack of talent, lazy, Olympic champions.’ This seemed to directly challenge Skinner’s remarks about today’s gymnasts’ commitment.

Notably, Skinner’s comments and the controversy surrounding them didn’t fade quickly. She later apologized multiple times and clarified that her statements were taken out of context. Skinner mentioned on her Instagram that her intention was not to disrespect the current athletes but rather to reflect on her experiences compared to the old coaching styles from the Marta Károlyi era.

In her corrections, Skinner acknowledged the emotional challenges she faced during her training under Károlyi, stating that those experiences might have clouded her judgment in her comments about today’s talents. She expressed an admiration for the hard work and dedication of her teammates and the new generation of gymnasts.

The exchange highlights the dynamic changes in gymnastics training and coaching, especially with the introduction of SafeSport, which prohibits harsh coaching methods. Skinner remarked that while this is a positive change, it also puts pressure on athletes to perform without the same intensity that was common in the past.