MyKayla Skinner, who won a silver medal in vault at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics while filling in for Simone Biles, faced criticism from Biles one month after she made controversial remarks about the current U.S. gymnastics team. Biles appeared to clap back at Skinner by posting a photo on Instagram with the caption “lack of talent, lazy, Olympic champions,” which seemed to reference Skinner’s previous comments questioning the work ethic and talent of the team. Skinner reportedly blocked Biles on social media in response to these remarks.
Skinner’s criticism of the current U.S. gymnastics team came in a YouTube video where she expressed her views on the talent and work ethic of the team following the Olympic trials. Despite apologizing for her comments and acknowledging that she did not intend to offend anyone, Skinner faced backlash for disparaging the work ethic of her fellow athletes. She also mentioned SafeSport, an organization created to prevent abuse in the sport, as a factor contributing to what she perceived as a decline in coaching quality.
Biles, who has been open about being a survivor of abuse by disgraced doctor Larry Nassar, appeared to respond to Skinner’s comments by suggesting that not everyone needs a platform to speak. She unfollowed Skinner on social media along with other members of the national team in the wake of the controversy. Nassar was convicted of molesting hundreds of young girls, and Biles testified about the FBI’s mishandling of the case during a Senate Judiciary Committee hearing in 2021.
Support for Biles came from fellow U.S. Olympic gymnasts, including Suni Lee, McKayla Maroney, Laurie Hernandez, and Nastia Liukin, who expressed solidarity with her in the comments section of her Instagram post. Maroney, a two-time Olympic medalist who was among the first to accuse Nassar of abuse, commented on the iconic nature of Biles’ post. Skinner has faced criticism in the past for sharing an altered picture on social media in 2016 that some considered racist.
Skinner, who competed as an individual in Tokyo, initially did not qualify for any finals but was able to step in for Biles in the vault final after Biles withdrew due to mental health issues. She won a silver medal in the event. Skinner retired from gymnastics after the Tokyo Olympics and gave birth to a daughter in September. Despite the controversy and criticism she has faced, Skinner’s athletic achievements, including winning an Olympic medal, will likely be an important part of her legacy in the sport.
