Mikayla Skinner is supporting her husband amid his scandal with American gymnast Simone Biles.
Skinner has been at the centre of a dispute with Biles since criticising the US team’s lack of “work ethic” ahead of the 2024 Olympics.
Biles then appeared to slam Skinner in a social media post after USA Gymnastics won the team all-around gold medal, further fueling the conflict with an Instagram caption that read, “Not talented, not lazy, not an Olympic champion.”
Skinner apologized ahead of the Summer Olympics, but in an Instagram video on Tuesday, she further elaborated on the intense online criticism she faced following Biles’ comments, pleading with the 11-time Olympic medal winner to stop the fan hate.
In the video’s comments section, Skinner’s husband, Jonas Harmer, came to her defence with kind comments.
“I’m so proud of you for staying silent when you apologized and now standing up for yourself,” wrote Harmer, a former American Ninja Warrior competitor. “You are the strongest person I know!”
In an interview with People magazine on Tuesday, Biles defended her actions in criticizing Skinner.
“This is important because we need to teach kids how to use their voice.” Biles told People magazine: on Tuesday. “And if you’re not, you’re a voice for the voiceless and that’s okay.
“I felt it was right to stand up for them in that moment because they are so young and haven’t yet reached their full potential.”
In a video this week, Skinner called on Biles’ supporters to stop attacking her, Harmer and their 23-month-old daughter, Charlotte Jane.
2024 Paris Olympics
“Simone, I am asking you directly and publicly to 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.”
Skinner, who announced her retirement from gymnastics in 2021, won a silver medal in the vault final at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics.
Meanwhile, Biles withdrew from Olympic competition at the start of 2021 but made a spectacular comeback this time around, winning three gold medals and one silver medal.
