It’s not uncommon for sports to be filled with drama, but every now and then, a surprising twist comes along. Recently, American Olympic gymnast MyKayla Skinner found herself in the middle of a social media storm after posting a video online. And it’s her teammate, Simone Biles, who’s stepping up to address the cyberbullying that followed.
The video, originally posted on YouTube in June 2024, has since been deleted. In the video, Skinner mentioned that some gymnasts lacked the necessary work ethic. Many interpreted her comments as being directed at the 2024 Olympic team. She said, “Besides Simone, I feel like the talent and the depth just isn’t like what it used to be. Just notice like, I mean, obviously a lot of girls don’t work as hard. The girls just don’t have the work ethic.”
Unfortunately, Skinner faced a wave of negative comments after posting the video. In response, she took to Instagram stories in early July to address those comments. She claimed that her initial comments were misinterpreted and that they weren’t specifically about the current team. She also posted a formal apology on her Instagram page, expressing her regret and acknowledging the hard work and dedication of her fellow athletes.
Simone didn’t stay quiet either. She clapped back with a powerful statement, saying, “Lack of talent, lazy, Olympic champions ❤️🥇🇺🇸”. But amid the online uproar, Skinner admits that things have spiraled out of control. She confessed that some people have even threatened her physical safety and that of her family.
In an attempt to resolve the situation, Skinner publicly reached out to Simone, urging her to put an end to the backlash. She acknowledged Simone’s role as a champion for mental health awareness and implored her to ask her followers to stop attacking. Skinner emphasized that the hurtful comments were never intended, and that she believes in the incredible talents of her former teammates.
Skinner concluded her message with love for her country and team, expressing her hope that they can move forward together, supporting their fellow teammates and athletes.
