Simone Biles Claps Back at Criticism of Modern Gymnasts

In a dazzling display of athleticism, Simone Biles led Team USA to a gold medal in the gymnastics finals at the Paris Olympics. The 27-year-old superstar didn’t just shine on the mat, but also took the opportunity to address some criticism directed at her and her teammates.

After the victory, Simone shared some celebratory photos with her fellow Team USA gymnasts. It was a fun moment, but it quickly turned into something a bit deeper when she seemed to call out her former teammate MyKayla for comments she made about the current crop of gymnasts.

MyKayla, who is also 27, had stirred the pot a few weeks earlier with a reaction video about the gymnastics trials for Team USA. In her now-deleted YouTube video, she suggested that gymnasts today don’t work as hard as the athletes from the past. This claim struck a nerve with many fans and current gymnasts.

In her controversial remarks, MyKayla said, “A lot of girls don’t work as hard,” also suggesting that the U.S. Center for SafeSport’s influence on coaching has led to a decline in work ethic among athletes. She expressed concerns that coaches have to hold back from pushing their athletes too hard, which she felt was necessary to excel in gymnastics.

After receiving backlash, MyKayla took to Instagram to clarify her comments, stating that what she meant wasn’t meant to target the current team. She acknowledged her pride in the accomplishments of her teammates.

In her apology, MyKayla shared, “Your hard work and dedication has paid off,” congratulating each athlete for their achievements in the lead-up to the Olympics.