Olympic gymnast Simone Biles has received a lot of backlash over the past week due to her feud with former NCAA swimmer Riley Gaines.
Biles, an 11-time Olympic medalist, had an issue with Gaines calling out an alleged transgender athlete on a Minnesota high school softball team. She labeled the OutKick contributor a “sore loser” who should spend less time bullying the transgender community. “All of this campaigning because you lost a race. Straight up sore loser,” Biles told Gaines. “You should be uplifting the trans community and perhaps finding a way to make sports inclusive OR creating a new avenue where trans feel safe in sports. Maybe a transgender category IN ALL sports!! But instead… You bully them… One things for sure is no one in sports is safe with you around.”
Former U.S. gymnast MyKayla Skinner revealed that she found Biles’ comments to be “deeply troubling.” With that said, she’s siding with Gaines in this feud. “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 told OAN. “I commend and appreciate Riley Gaines for having the courage to speak up. Women like her are not only standing for fairness, but for the future of female athletics itself. She deserves support—not ridicule.”
Skinner then commented on her own personal beef with Biles. They first clashed heads in 2024 when Skinner said some gymnasts for Team USA lacked “work ethic.” That led to Biles firing back on social media. “Throughout my own career, I endured being belittled, dismissed, and ostracized behind the scenes by Simone. 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.
But witnessing this kind of public shaming, especially from someone in a position of influence, makes that silence no longer acceptable,” Skinner continued. “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.”
When it comes to the world of gymnastics, drama outside the mat often makes as many headlines as the performances themselves. Recently, former U.S. gymnast MyKayla Skinner made waves when she shared her unfiltered thoughts about Simone Biles, sparking debates across social media. Fans, experts, and fellow athletes have all weighed in—making this one of the most talked-about stories in gymnastics today. But what exactly did Skinner say, and why has it stirred such a strong reaction? Let’s dive into the details.
Who Is MyKayla Skinner?
MyKayla Skinner isn’t just any gymnast. She’s a decorated athlete who represented Team USA at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics, where she clinched a silver medal on vault after stepping in when Simone Biles withdrew. Known for her resilience and determination, Skinner has always had a reputation for speaking her mind—a trait that has now placed her at the center of controversy.
Simone Biles: The Face of Modern Gymnastics
Before we break down the tension, it’s important to understand Simone Biles’ position in the sport. Widely considered the greatest gymnast of all time (GOAT), Biles has redefined athletic excellence with her record-breaking routines. However, her decision to withdraw from multiple events at the Tokyo Olympics due to mental health struggles divided the public—earning her both praise and criticism.
Skinner’s Explosive Comments
So, what exactly did MyKayla Skinner say?
In a recent interview and on her YouTube channel, Skinner hinted that Biles may not be the team player everyone assumes. She criticized the culture of U.S. gymnastics, suggesting that “it’s not always about the team anymore” and that certain athletes prioritize themselves over the collective. While she didn’t always mention Simone Biles by name, the implication was clear—and fans connected the dots quickly.
Why Her Words Hit Hard
Skinner’s comments struck a nerve for a few reasons:
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Timing – The gymnastics world is gearing up for another Olympic cycle, and every opinion carries weight.
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Personal History – Skinner’s own journey at the Tokyo Games was directly shaped by Biles’ withdrawal.
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Public Perception – Criticizing Biles, who has become a symbol of both athletic greatness and mental health advocacy, is bound to stir heated emotions.
The Internet Reacts
Social media blew up after Skinner’s remarks. Some applauded her honesty, saying she’s brave enough to say what others are thinking. Others, however, slammed her as bitter and jealous, accusing her of riding Biles’ coattails for relevance.
It became a digital firestorm of tweets, TikToks, and Instagram debates—proof that when Biles’ name comes up, the world pays attention.
Was It a Personal Attack?
Here’s where it gets complicated. Skinner insists her words weren’t meant as a personal jab but rather as a critique of the broader gymnastics culture. Still, the way she framed her statements made it nearly impossible for people not to assume they were directed at Biles. It’s like tossing a pebble into a pond—you may not mean to cause waves, but the ripples are unavoidable.
