An emotional Mikayla Skinner pleaded with Simone Biles to tell her social media followers to stop the hateful attacks she and her family have been subjected to after past critical comments came to light.
Skinner, an Olympic silver medalist who competed against Biles at the Tokyo Olympics, addressed the seven-time gold medalist directly in a candid video message posted to Instagram amid a “wave of hateful comments” that have included “death threats.”
“Simone, I am asking you directly and publicly: please stop this and ask your followers to stop too. You are a fantastic advocate for mental health awareness and so many people need your help right now,” Skinner said.
“We have been hurt and attacked in ways you never intended.”
Biles appeared to criticize Skinner after the U.S. women’s gymnastics team won the gold medal at the Paris Olympics.
Biles, 27, used similar language in an Instagram post after Skinner criticized the team’s “work ethic” in a since-deleted YouTube video.
Skinner, 27, retired from competitive gymnastics three years ago.
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