In a recent celebratory Instagram post, Simone Biles appeared to respond to former teammate MyKayla Skinner’s critical comments about the U.S. women’s gymnastics team. Skinner had criticized the team’s work ethic, sparking controversy and bringing to light issues from the sport’s dark past, including the Larry Nassar abuse scandal and the oppressive coaching culture created by Martha and Bela Karolyi.
After leading Team USA to gold at the 2024 Paris Olympics, Biles shared a post with her teammates, captioned with “lack of talent, lazy, olympic champions.” This was seen as a direct response to Skinner’s comments, leading to Biles being blocked by Skinner on social media. Skinner had expressed dissatisfaction with the current team’s work ethic, comparing it negatively to past years and implying that SafeSport regulations hindered coaches from pushing their athletes to reach their full potential.
Skinner later apologized for her comments, acknowledging that they were misunderstood. The controversy brought attention to the toxic coaching culture perpetuated by the Karolyis and enabled Nassar’s abuse of young female gymnasts. Biles, who was a survivor of Nassar’s abuse, had previously spoken out against the Karolyis and their coaching methods. The scandal surrounding Nassar and the Karolyis ultimately led to significant changes within USA Gymnastics.
This incident highlights the ongoing efforts to improve athlete safety and well-being in Olympic sports, particularly within gymnastics. Biles continues to advocate for cultural change within the sport, emphasizing the importance of a supportive and healthy training environment for athletes.
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