Simone Biles has once again made headlines, and this time it's not just for her dazzling performances at the Olympics. Following her latest gold medal win at the 2024 Paris Games, Biles stirred up quite the buzz on social media by seemingly throwing shade at former teammate MyKayla Skinner. The back-and-forth began when Skinner criticized what she perceived as the lack of depth and talent among current U.S. gymnasts, remarks Biles addressed after the team’s triumphant performance.
On Tuesday, July 30, during the artistic gymnastics women’s team finals, Team USA showcased exceptional skill, bringing home the gold medal. Biles, who has now won five Olympic golds, celebrated the victory with her teammates—Suni Lee, Jordan Chiles, Jade Carey, and Hezly Rivera—by posting to Instagram, declaring, “lack of talent, lazy, olympic champions.” This caption was seen as a direct jab at Skinner's earlier comments, which had stirred controversy within the gymnastics community.
Skinner, who competed alongside Biles at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, had made critical remarks just weeks prior, stating, “Besides Simone, I feel like the talent and the depth just isn’t what it used to be.” She also implied current athletes lacked the same level of work ethic. “The girls just don’t have the work ethic, and it’s hard too because of SafeSport,” Skinner added, referring to the non-profit organization established to combat abuse within athletics. She later apologized for her comments, asserting she didn’t intend to offend any of her fellow gymnasts.
The tension between the two gymnasts escalated when Biles, shortly after her post, tweeted, “oop I’ve been blocked,” indicating Skinner may have reacted to her social media digs. Biles’s husband, Jonathan Owens, also joined the playful banter, commenting “F AROUND AND FIND OUT” on her Instagram post, solidifying the light-hearted yet pointed nature of the exchange.
Fans and fellow gymnasts quickly rallied around Biles. Notable reactions included McKayla Maroney, who wrote, “it doesn’t get more iconic than this,” hinting at the gravity of the situation with Skinner and Biles. Other gymnasts like Jordan Chiles and Suni Lee chimed in, affirming their support and adding humorous commentary to the growing saga.
The situation showcases the competitive spirit prevalent among gymnasts, but also highlights the pressures and expectations surrounding them. While Skinner's comments played out publicly, her later apology suggested she recognized the potential fallout from her words. The gymnastics community serves as both support and scrutiny, where opinions can clash and competitiveness can lead to public feuds. This recent episode illustrates the complexity of their relationships and the high standards to which these athletes hold themselves and each other.
Despite the drama, Biles and her teammates enjoyed their well-deserved moment of glory, triumphantly raising the American flag and embracing their victory. Their performance will be remembered, not only for the medals but for the dynamic narratives and emotional stakes woven throughout the sport.