Simone Biles and MyKayla Skinner: A Complicated Relationship

Simone Biles and MyKayla Skinner's relationship has been marked by both camaraderie and contention, particularly following Skinner's recent remarks about the work ethic of Team USA gymnasts.

In a now-deleted YouTube video, Skinner, 27, expressed her views on the current state of gymnastics, stating, “Besides Simone, I feel like the talent and the depth just isn’t what it used to be. I mean, obviously, a lot of girls don’t work as hard.” Her comments ignited a firestorm of reactions from the gymnastics community.

Skinner elaborated on her perspective regarding the U.S. Center for SafeSport, which aims to protect athletes from abuse. She argued that the organization’s policies hinder coaches from pushing their athletes to excel. “Coaches can’t get on athletes which in some ways is really good but at the same time, to get to where you need to be in gymnastics you do have to be… a little aggressive, a little intense,” she explained.

After facing backlash, Skinner issued an apology, claiming her words were “misinterpreted” and clarified that her comments were not solely directed at the current team. Nevertheless, her statements prompted responses from several gymnasts, including Biles, who took to Threads to assert, “Not everyone needs a mic and a platform.”

Biles, a prominent figure in gymnastics and a survivor of abuse by former USA Gymnastics doctor Larry Nassar, has been vocal about mental health and athlete welfare. The scandal surrounding Nassar led to the establishment of the U.S. Center for SafeSport.

Skinner's journey in gymnastics has been intertwined with Biles since their early careers. In 2015, Skinner finished second to Biles at the AT&T American Cup. She served as an alternate for the Rio Olympics while Biles secured her first gold medals. Their paths crossed again at the 2019 U.S. National Championships, where both qualified for the U.S. Women’s Senior National Team.

During the Tokyo Olympics, Skinner stepped in for Biles during the vault final after Biles withdrew due to mental health concerns. Skinner earned a silver medal but did not advance in the all-around competition. Biles publicly supported Skinner during this time, acknowledging the hard work required to return to elite competition.

However, tensions resurfaced when Skinner's comments about Team USA's talent level came to light. Biles' response hinted at disapproval of Skinner's critique. Following Team USA's gold medal win at the 2024 Paris Olympics, Biles posted a caption that echoed Skinner's earlier sentiments about talent and work ethic.

In an Instagram video addressing the fallout from her comments, Skinner called for an end to cyberbullying directed at her family, stating, “It’s one thing to disagree with me regarding something I have said... but it’s something else entirely when that turns into cyberbullying.” She emphasized her respect for her teammates and clarified that she never intended to offend them.

Skinner also reached out directly to Biles, urging her to use her influence to quell the negativity surrounding their exchange. “You have been an incredible champion for mental health awareness... Your performance and the Olympics in general should be a time that we support one another,” she stated.

The situation escalated further when Skinner commented on a social media feud involving Biles and conservative activist Riley Gaines. Skinner expressed concern over Biles labeling Gaines a “sore loser” for voicing her opinions on fairness in women’s sports. “As an athlete who has dedicated years to a sport, I’ve always believed that true competition should elevate us — not diminish others,” she remarked.

Skinner's claims of being bullied by Biles during their time as teammates added another layer of complexity to their relationship. As of now, Biles has not publicly addressed these allegations.