Gymnast MyKayla Skinner is speaking out against her former Olympic teammate Simone Biles while sharing her support for Riley Gaines, following Biles’ criticisms of Gaines for her anti-trans remarks.
On Saturday, June 14, Skinner, 28, said in a public statement shared via One America News that 11-time Olympic medalist Biles, 28, “belittled, dismissed and ostracized” her. Both women competed in the 2020 Tokyo Olympics. Skinner, a silver medalist, was an alternate in the 2016 Rio Olympics, where Biles won her first medal.
“As an athlete who has dedicated years to a sport, I’ve always believed that true competition should elevate us — not diminish others. 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,” Skinner said in her statement, referring to Biles’ recent critical comments about Gaines, a conservative activist and former swimmer who has criticized transgender athletes in sports.
When Olympic Gold Meets Personal Grievance
Elite gymnastics is usually all about flawless landings, gravity-defying flips, and medals that gleam brighter than the spotlight. But behind the scenes, the pressure can fracture even the strongest bonds. Recently, former U.S. gymnast MyKayla Skinner reignited a simmering controversy by claiming that Simone Biles belittled and ostracized her, a claim that surfaced amid public criticism involving former swimmer Riley Gaines.
The allegations sent shockwaves through the gymnastics world and social media alike. Fans are divided. Critics are loud. And once again, the conversation has drifted beyond sport into power, identity, and silence.
So what really happened? And why is this moment resonating so deeply?
Let’s unpack it.
Who Is MyKayla Skinner? A Fighter in a Perfectionist Sport
A Career Built on Persistence
MyKayla Skinner was never the golden child of U.S. gymnastics. She was the grinder. The athlete who clawed her way back after setbacks, criticism, and years outside the inner circle.
-
Olympic silver medalist (Tokyo 2020 vault)
-
Known for power gymnastics and resilience
-
Frequently portrayed as an outsider despite elite talent
Her career arc reads like a comeback story — but not without scars.
Life After Competition
Since retiring, Skinner has become more outspoken. Social media gave her a microphone she never truly had as an active athlete. And with that platform came honesty — sometimes uncomfortable honesty.
Simone Biles: The Face of Modern Gymnastics
More Than Medals
Simone Biles isn’t just the most decorated gymnast of all time — she’s a cultural symbol.
-
Advocate for mental health
-
Survivor and outspoken critic of USA Gymnastics leadership
-
A global icon beyond sport
With that influence comes immense power — and scrutiny.
Leadership Under a Microscope
In team environments, leadership styles can be subjective. What feels like confidence to one person can feel like exclusion to another. And that’s where Skinner’s claims land.
The Core Claim: ‘Belittled and Ostracized’
What MyKayla Skinner Alleged
Skinner claims that during her time overlapping with Biles on the U.S. team:
-
She felt talked down to
-
She was excluded socially
-
Her presence was allegedly minimized or dismissed
She described an atmosphere where she felt invisible — not because of performance, but because of hierarchy.
These are personal perceptions, not proven facts — but they struck a nerve.
Where Riley Gaines Enters the Picture
Why This Controversy Resurfaced Now
The claims gained traction amid online discourse involving Riley Gaines, a former NCAA swimmer known for her outspoken views on fairness in women’s sports.
Skinner’s perceived alignment with Gaines’ criticism of certain athletic policies reignited old tensions — and reopened unresolved feelings from her gymnastics past.
Timing, in this case, acted like gasoline on embers.
Social Media Reaction: A Community Divided
Supporters of Skinner Say…
-
Her experience deserves validation
-
Gymnastics culture historically silences dissent
-
Power dynamics can harm less-favored athletes
Defenders of Biles Argue…
-
Allegations lack concrete evidence
-
Simone has faced unfair expectations for years
-
Personal feelings shouldn’t equal public blame
The internet, predictably, chose sides.
Gymnastics Culture and the ‘Inner Circle’ Problem
Is Ostracism a Systemic Issue?
For decades, U.S. gymnastics has been criticized for:
-
Favoritism
-
Emotional suppression
-
Rigid hierarchies
Skinner’s story resonates because many former athletes say it sounds familiar.
When Silence Feels Like Survival
In elite sports, speaking up often comes with consequences. That reality makes retrospective honesty both powerful — and controversial.
Belittlement vs. Perception: A Crucial Distinction
Can Both Things Be True?
Here’s the uncomfortable truth:
Simone Biles can be a transformational leader and someone whose presence unintentionally made others feel small.
Intent doesn’t erase impact.
Impact doesn’t prove intent.
That gray area is where this debate lives.
Why This Story Went Viral
It’s Not Just About Gymnastics
This controversy touches bigger themes:
-
Power imbalance among women
-
Public figures versus personal truth
-
Social media as a court of opinion
It’s less about vault scores — and more about voice.
The Risk of Speaking Out After Retirement
Why Athletes Wait
Many athletes don’t talk until they’re done competing because:
-
Careers are fragile
-
Reputations are tightly controlled
-
Whistleblowers often lose support
Skinner’s timing reflects that reality — not necessarily opportunism.
Simone Biles’ Silence: Strategic or Personal?
Why No Public Response Matters
As of now, Simone Biles has not directly addressed Skinner’s claims. Silence can mean many things:
-
Avoiding escalation
-
Protecting mental health
-
Letting the storm pass
In the age of instant outrage, silence is its own statement.
What This Means for Women’s Sports Conversations
A Shift Is Happening
Athletes today are:
-
More vocal
-
Less controlled
-
More human
This story, uncomfortable as it is, reflects that evolution.
Can Reconciliation Ever Happen?
Healing Requires More Than Headlines
True resolution would require:
-
Private dialogue
-
Mutual acknowledgment
-
Willingness to listen
Whether that happens is unknown — but public airing rarely makes reconciliation easier.
Media Responsibility in Athlete Conflicts
Fuel or Fairness?
Sensational headlines can:
-
Amplify pain
-
Distort nuance
-
Lock people into permanent narratives
Responsible storytelling matters — especially when reputations are on the line.
Why Fans Feel So Personally Invested
Parasocial Loyalty at Work
Fans don’t just watch athletes — they identify with them. Criticism feels personal. Defense feels necessary.
That emotional investment explains the intensity of the backlash.
The Bigger Lesson: Strength Isn’t Always Loud
Sometimes strength looks like gold medals.
Sometimes it looks like survival.
Sometimes it looks like finally telling your story.
All three can coexist.
Conclusion: A Complicated Truth in a Simplistic Internet Age
The claims made by MyKayla Skinner about Simone Biles are not courtroom verdicts — they’re personal reflections shaped by years of pressure, hierarchy, and silence. Whether you believe her, doubt her, or sit somewhere in between, one thing is clear: this conversation goes far beyond two athletes.
It’s about how we listen.
Who we believe.
And whether elite success leaves room for empathy.
In a sport built on balance, maybe this moment is asking for a little more of it — from all of us.