Olympic gymnast MyKayla Skinner has stepped back into the spotlight-but not for her athletic achievements.
The retired U.S. gymnast has issued a statement sharply criticizing Simone Biles and defending former collegiate swimmer Riley Gaines, aligning herself with the growing movement opposing transgender inclusion in women’s sports.
Speaking via One America News Network (OAN), Skinner accused Biles of publicly shaming Gaines and called out what she described as bullying behavior.
“As an athlete who has dedicated years to a sport, I’ve always believed that true competition should elevate us-not diminish others,” Skinner said.
She continued, “That’s why it’s deeply troubling to see (Simone Biles) publicly label a fellow female athlete a ‘sore loser’-simply for expressing valid concerns about fairness in women’s sports. I commend and appreciate (Riley Gaines) for having the courage to speak up.”
Skinner’s comments come as Gaines continues to campaign against the participation of transgender women in female sports divisions, an issue that has polarized the athletic community.
Rift between former teammates escalates
Skinner, who competed alongside Biles at the Tokyo 2021 Olympics, went further by alleging that Biles treated her poorly throughout their time together in the sport.
“Throughout my own career, I endured being belittled, dismissed, and ostracized behind the scenes by Simone,” Skinner said.
“The pressure to stay silent was immense. I kept quiet out of respect-for the sport, for my teammates, and for the ideal of unity among athletes.”
She said that Biles’ recent conduct pushed her to finally speak out.
“It’s one thing to disagree. It’s another to use your platform to bully and demean. No one should be punished for standing up for fairness and biological reality. We should be lifting each other up-not tearing one another down for speaking hard truths,” Skinner concluded, signing the statement as “Olympic Medalist.”
While Skinner now positions herself in direct opposition to Biles, this hasn’t always been the case. During the Tokyo Games, when Biles withdrew from several events due to mental health struggles, Skinner was given the opportunity to compete in the vault final.
She went on to win silver and at the time spoke warmly of Biles’ support: “To just have her support… and her just pushing me along every single day to help me to place on that podium has been so cool.”
Biles had also praised Skinner at the time, writing, “I’m so freaking proud of you.”
A history of criticism and controversy
Skinner’s recent statements follow a pattern of contentious public behavior. In 2024, she faced backlash after criticizing U.S. gymnasts on her YouTube channel during the national championships.
“Besides Simone, I feel like the talent and the depth just isn’t like what it used to be,” she said in a since-deleted video. “A lot of girls don’t work as hard.”
That remark led to a public clapback from the 2024 Olympic team. After winning gold in Paris, Biles posted a celebratory team photo with the caption, “lack of talent, lazy, olympic champions,” a clear response to Skinner’s words.
Skinner has also faced past criticism over racially insensitive social media posts and remarks made during her time at the University of Utah and while in Tokyo, including comments on local cuisine that were perceived as xenophobic.
As Skinner shifts her public image from athlete to outspoken commentator, her latest remarks are reigniting long-standing friction and raising questions about the boundaries of personal expression and public responsibility in the sports world.
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