Simone Biles doubles down on MyKala Skinner comments after Olympics controversy
Simone Biles has been asked to "put a stop" to the death threats being sent to MyKayla Skinner, with the two having each other blocked on social media.
At the Tokyo 2020 Olympics, Simone Biles and MyKayla Skinner appeared as close companions, but have since blocked each other on social media. Following her gold medal triumph in Paris, Biles acknowledged using Skinner's previous criticism of Team USA's women gymnastics work ethic in a celebratory post, stating: "The girls just don't have the work ethic."
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Notably, Biles captioned a victorious team photo: "Lack of talent, lazy Olympic champions." Since that provocative caption, Skinner suggested that she was subjected to threats and harassment - presumably influenced by Biles' comments - urging her former teammate to address the issue.
In a recent interview with People, Biles spoke unwaveringly about the incident, expressing no remorse for her words and emphasising the need for empowerment, saying: "It's important because you have to teach them to use their voices. And if not, you're a voice for the voiceless, which is okay. I just felt like it was right in that moment to stand up for them, because they're so young and they haven't fully stood in their power yet. For somebody to stand up, I know it meant a lot for my teammates."
Skinner, meanwhile, aired her grievances in a candid four-minute video aimed directly at Biles concerning the situation.
She expressed her regret, saying: "I sincerely hoped that this topic wouldn't have to be revisited, but unfortunately things have really gotten out of hand lately. So, to Simone, I am asking you directly and publicly to please put a stop to this."
Explaining the reason for her public address, she added: "Why I'm here is because four weeks ago, I made a comment about work ethic and what seems to be taking place with the rising generation. To be totally clear, I take 100 percent for poorly articulating the point I was trying to make. The last thing I wanted was to cause harm or offend our US Olympic Team."
Acknowledging the athletes' excellence, she continued: "I know these women are incredible - the very best of the best. And almost all of them are my former teammates, who I have enjoyed very much cheering on the last few years."
She revealed her attempts to make amends: "I posted a video apology on Instagram and I followed up with a written apology and I sent individual messages to each of the women on the team. Only Simone had responded, and she told me that she was proud of me."
In conclusion, she reiterated her plea: "So, to Simone, I am asking you directly and publicly to please put a stop to this. Please ask your followers to stop."
