Mykayla Skinner recently entered the conversation, aiming some serious accusations toward her former teammate Simone Biles. Skinner, at 28 years old, claimed Biles bullied her, which is quite the explosive claim, especially after a group of 11 Olympic medalists recently apologized to Riley Gaines for comments tied to a heated social media debate about transgender athletes.
She reiterated her feelings on “The Will Cain Show,” saying she felt “disgraced, rejected, and exiled” by Biles during their time together. Skinner stated, “There were many times in my career when I felt disrespected and bullied by Simone but chose to stay quiet for the sake of other athletes.” It’s a sentiment that clearly stuck with her.
Skinner’s remarks came shortly after she expressed her support for Gaines, who had a fierce back-and-forth with Biles just this month, igniting significant public interest.
“Being an athlete who’s dedicated years to my sport, I’ve always believed competition should uplift us rather than tear us down,” Skinner stated. “It’s troubling to see Simone publicly labeling other female athletes as ‘painful losers.’ I really admire Riley Gaines; she stands for fairness and the future of women’s sports.” It’s easy to empathize with her frustration—athletes often bear immense pressure.
Skinner reflected on her own struggles, saying, “I endured disgrace, and the pressure to remain silent was overwhelming. I had a deep respect for the sport and my teammates, but things felt off.” An Octagon representative, who handles Biles, didn’t respond immediately to requests for comments.
The two had been teammates during the 2021 Tokyo Olympics, but their relationship now seems strained, especially with both gearing up for the Paris Summer Games next July. Skinner had even critiqued the 2024 gymnastics team’s “work ethic,” prompting Biles to seemingly respond with a snarky Instagram post that hinted at Skinner’s perceived laziness.
Amid the backlash, Skinner emotionalized her plea after receiving “death threats,” indicating just how intense things have gotten.
The heated exchanges began earlier this month with discussions surrounding transgender athletes and how they fit into women’s sports—a particularly divisive issue that seems to have worsened tension among athletes. Gaines had made a comment that echoed her frustrations about competition involving transgender individuals. Biles, in turn, described Gaines as “really ill,” which only stoked the fire further.
In a follow-up statement, Biles attempted to clarify her views on fair competition, emphasizing the need for inclusivity while acknowledging the complexity of the issues at hand. “I don’t have a solution,” she admitted. “But I believe it starts with empathy.” This reflects a kind of internal struggle many feel in the face of societal changes.
Gaines, for her part, accepted Biles’ apology and extended a hand in solidarity, saying, “We welcome you into the fight for fair sports and the future of female athletes.” It’s a somewhat hopeful twist in a contentious narrative, as all sides seek to find common ground—even amidst their differences.
