MyKayla Skinner, a former member of Team USA’s gymnastics team from the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, is now seeking Simone Biles’ assistance amid a storm of backlash following her recent comments about the current Olympic team.
Skinner’s remarks, which she made in a now-deleted YouTube video, criticized the present team members—except for Biles—suggesting that their talent and work ethic were lacking compared to past teams.
In her video, Skinner remarked, “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. The girls just don’t have the work ethic.” These comments ignited a fierce reaction from the gymnastics community and beyond. Skinner has since claimed that she and her family have been subjected to death threats as a result of her statements.
In an effort to address the escalating situation, Skinner has reached out to Simone Biles for help. On her Instagram, Skinner posted a video appealing directly to Biles, requesting that she use her influence to mitigate the harassment she is facing. In the caption accompanying the video, Skinner wrote, “I love our country and don’t want to take anything away from our athletes. Let’s use this time to build each other up, not tear others down.”
The video features Skinner explaining the severity of the bullying she has experienced and suggests that the backlash intensified after Team USA’s recent gold medal win in women’s gymnastics. She noted that Biles had referenced her comments in a post following the team’s victory, which she believes may have contributed to the heightened animosity directed towards her.
In her plea, Skinner acknowledges the impact of her words and expresses a desire for unity and support rather than division. She emphasizes the importance of respecting athletes and fostering a positive environment, even amidst disagreements. By appealing to Biles, Skinner hopes to leverage the gymnast’s considerable influence to help diffuse the situation and reduce the vitriol aimed at her and her family.
