Why Simone Biles Shaded Former Teammate MyKayla Skinner After Olympic Gold

TOKYO, JAPAN - JULY 22: Mykayla Skinner and Simone Biles from the United States team take a picture during the Women's Podium Training before the Tokyo 2020 Olympics at Ariake Gymnastics Centre on July 22, 2021 in Tokyo, Japan. (Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images)

Simone Biles and the U.S. Women's Gymnastics team were feeling ecstatic after their triumph in the Olympic team final on Tuesday. Soon after stepping off the podium in Paris, the newly crowned Olympic Champions went online to share their excitement. While each of the five medal winners posted their own joyous messages, it was Simone Biles' post that caught everyone's attention.

Instead of choosing to write a heartfelt essay or just something like "Olympic Champions," Biles decided to share a direct caption with a triumphant photo of the team, calling the post "no talent, lazy, Olympic champions ❤️????????????."

As some fans wondered about what she meant by her statement, the passionate supporters of gymnastics quickly grasped the message Biles was sending with her gold-medal comment. Her strong words were clearly aimed at her former teammate, Mykayla Skinner, who won a silver medal in the 2021 Olympics.

In Tokyo, Japan on July 28th, Simone Biles and MyKayla Skinner from the United States team were seen observing the Men's All-Around Final during the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games at Ariake Gymnastics Centre. A photo was taken by Jamie Squire/Getty Images.

Skinner's Old Teammates Shared Their Thoughts

Biles was not the only one to join in and show some criticism. Many well-known names and companies showed their support for her statement, such as Nastia Liukin, Laurie Hernandez, and USA Gymnastics. Suni Lee, Biles' teammate and two-time Olympic gold medalist, may have offered the most unique comment of all.

"Raise your hand if Simone Biles just completely amazed you ????????," Lee said, probably talking about Skinner’s TikTok video that she has since removed where she used a similar expression.

After Simone's post was published and a flood of support came in for her message, Biles revealed another update on social media: her former Olympic teammate had stopped her from seeing her posts on Instagram. This unexpected action showed that someone once powerful was now humbled.

Biles And Skinner's History

Skinner and Biles were teammates in various competitions during their time as elite athletes, such as the 2014 World Championships and the 2021 Tokyo Olympic Games. Although they seemed to have a friendly relationship for a long time, there was a noticeable change just before the Paris games.

The U.S. Women's Gymnastics team earns a gold medal in Paris, redeeming themselves at the Olympics according to Forbes writer Caroline Price.

Skinner's Remarks At 2024 US Gymnastics Trials

Following her retirement in 2021, Skinner started a new career as an influencer and also began analyzing gymnastics online. During the 2024 U.S. Gymnastics Championships, Skinner posted a video on her YouTube channel discussing the athletes and their performances. In a video that has since been removed, the 27-year-old shared criticism of her previous teammates and the current status of women's gymnastics in America.

"I have noticed that the talent and depth of the team, aside from Simone, doesn't seem to be as strong as it once was. It appears that many girls are not putting in the same level of effort and dedication. The work ethic of the girls just doesn't seem to be there."

Title: Injuries and Setbacks: What Occurred at the U.S. Gymnastics Olympic Trials The blog section on Forbes discussed the unfortunate events that took place during the U.S. Gymnastics Olympic Trials. Caroline Price provided insight into the injuries and disappointments that occurred during the event.

In just a few hours, the surprising video made its way to the top of social media timelines, including those of the most elite gymnasts in the country.

Gina Chiles, who is the mother of American Olympian Jordan Chiles, expressed her surprise and disapproval on X about a certain statement made by someone. She was taken aback that the person actually said those words publicly. Soon after that post, Biles indirectly responded with a mysterious statement on Threads implying that not everyone should have the opportunity to speak out.

Simone Biles from the USA shows her emotions after competing in the floor exercise at the women's team final in the Paris 2024 Olympics in France on July 30, 2024. (Photo by Cao Can/Xinhua via Getty Images)

Although Skinner's remarks were painful, they represent a deep-seated issue that continues to affect American gymnastics. The legacy of the Karolyi era may have faded, but its impact remains. The harmful culture persists in the words and beliefs echoed in Skinner's comments.

In past years, the main focus for U.S. Women's Gymnastics was on achieving victory at all costs. Bela Karolyi, in a Time interview in 2012, criticized any training methods that promoted athletes finding pleasure in their sport.

Karolyi explained that in the past, many people only focused on getting on the team and didn't think about the journey. However, he believes this is not the best approach and won't lead to a successful outcome.

After their successful 'redemption tour' and securing gold medals, Biles and her teammates have shown that having fun along the way can also lead to winning Olympic gold.

While Skinner's remarks reflected the negative culture of the past, Biles and Team USA are working to undo their impact. The 2024 team symbolizes a shift towards a new era where success doesn't have to mean sacrificing an athlete's well-being.

In Paris, France on July 30th, Simone Biles and Sunisa Lee of the United States were seen celebrating with their teammates Jordan Chiles, Jade Carey, and Hezly Rivera after their team's win in the Artistic Gymnastics Team Final for Women at the Bercy Arena during the 2024 Summer Olympic Games.