It looks like there’s some serious drama brewing in the world of gymnastics, and it’s spilling out onto social media for all to see. The tension between former Team USA gymnasts is heating up, with Simone Biles, Sunisa Lee, and McKayla Maroney all getting involved in a spat that’s quickly becoming the talk of the sports world.
Let’s break it down. The drama started when MyKayla Skinner, who won a silver medal with Team USA in Tokyo, made some controversial comments about this year’s gymnastics roster.
In a since-removed YouTube video, Skinner suggested that, aside from Simone Biles, the current team lacked talent and depth and questioned their work ethic. That’s a pretty bold statement, and it didn’t sit well with Biles.
After Team USA clinched gold in the team gymnastics final, Biles didn’t hold back in her response. She posted a celebratory Instagram caption that read, “Lack of talent, lazy, olympic champions,” clearly taking a shot at Skinner’s earlier remarks. But the story didn’t end there.
Sunisa Lee, another star on the U.S. team, appeared to pile on, commenting on Biles’ post with, “Put a finger down if Simone Biles just ended you.” Although that comment was later deleted, it was enough to fuel the fire even further.
Part 1: The gymnastics community cannot let these comments to be swept under the rug. I will be as respectful as possible to @mykaylaskinner but instead of engaging in meaningful conversation she blocks anyone who holds her accountable for her words. pic.twitter.com/Y69pwCxnUG
— Riley (@gymguyri) July 3, 2024
And if that wasn’t enough, Biles also hinted that Skinner had blocked her on social media, suggesting that the tension between the two might be deeper than just a few public comments. Meanwhile, McKayla Maroney, who’s known for her own iconic moments in gymnastics, also jumped in to support Biles. In her comment on Biles’ post, Maroney wrote, “It doesn’t get more iconic than this.. She f’d around n found out fr,” throwing even more shade in Skinner’s direction.
Now, to be fair, Skinner did issue an apology weeks before the Summer Games kicked off. She posted on Instagram, saying, “I want to formally apologize to Team USA and to our gymnastic community for my comments during my recent YouTube episodes of the gymnastics Olympic trials.”
She made it clear that her intention wasn’t to disrespect the athletes or diminish their hard work. But given the recent back-and-forth, it seems that her apology hasn’t been enough to smooth things over.
For those following Team USA’s journey, this drama adds a layer of intrigue to what’s already been a stellar performance. The team, led by Biles, Lee, Jordan Chiles, Jade Carey, and Hezly Rivera, reclaimed the all-around team championship with a dominating score of 171.296. Lee, in particular, shined with top performances on the balance beam, uneven bars, and floor exercise, showcasing the very talent and work ethic that Skinner had questioned.
