In a stunning revelation that’s shaking the gymnastics world, MyKayla Skinner, a silver medalist from the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, has accused superstar Simone Biles of behind-the-scenes bullying and belittlement during their time as teammates.
According to Outkick, this explosive story centers on Skinner’s claims of mistreatment by Biles, alongside her defense of Riley Gaines, a prominent advocate for fairness in women’s sports, who was recently criticized by Biles on social media.
Let’s rewind to the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, where Skinner and Biles shared the spotlight as teammates on the U.S. gymnastics team. When Biles stepped back from competition due to mental health challenges, Skinner stepped up, replacing her on the vault and clinching a silver medal. That moment should have been a triumph, but Skinner now says it came with a hidden cost.
In a statement released late Friday to One America News (OAN), Skinner, a 28-year-old two-time NCAA champion, detailed a pattern of dismissal and ostracism she endured from Biles throughout her career. She described an environment where she felt diminished, pressured to stay silent for the sake of team unity and respect for the sport.
“Throughout my own career, I endured being belittled, dismissed, and ostracized behind the scenes by Simone,” Skinner told OAN. Well, if silence was the price of peace, it seems Skinner’s finally ready to speak her truth—and it’s a truth that stings.
The pressure to keep quiet, Skinner noted, was overwhelming, but she’s done holding back. “The pressure to stay silent was immense,” she admitted, signaling that the time for hushed grievances is over. Turns out, even Olympic heroes have their breaking points.
Fast forward to early June, when Biles took to her platform on X, where she boasts nearly two million followers, to criticize Riley Gaines, host of OutKick’s “Gaines for Girls” podcast. Biles later apologized for the remarks, but the damage was done, and Skinner wasn’t about to let it slide. For many, this wasn’t just a disagreement—it was a public shaming of someone fighting for a cause worth defending.
Skinner didn’t mince words about Biles’ online behavior, saying, “It’s one thing to disagree. It’s another to use your platform to bully and demean.” And isn’t that the crux of it—when influence becomes a weapon, who’s left to stand up for what’s right?
Calling out Biles for targeting Gaines, Skinner argued that no one should face ridicule for advocating fairness in women’s sports. She’s got a point: in a world obsessed with tearing down dissenters, speaking up shouldn’t come with a penalty. Actions, after all, have consequences.
Skinner also took a moment to praise Gaines for her relentless push to protect opportunities for female athletes, especially against the controversial inclusion of biological males in women’s competitions. “I commend and appreciate Riley for having the courage to speak up,” Skinner declared. High praise from an Olympian who knows a thing or two about grit.
Gaines, who has become a lightning rod in the debate over sports equity, isn’t standing alone. Public figures like ESPN’s Stephen A. Smith, former NASCAR driver Danica Patrick, and actor Rob Schneider have all voiced support for her stance after Biles’ unprovoked social media jab. It’s a growing chorus that’s hard to ignore.
For Skinner, Gaines’ fight is personal, tied to her belief that competition should uplift, not undermine. “Women like her are not only standing for fairness, but for the future of female athletics itself,” she said. That’s a future worth fighting for, no matter who’s throwing punches online.
What Skinner’s statement ultimately reveals is a deeper frustration with how athletes treat each other, especially when the spotlight’s off. Her accusations against Biles aren’t just personal—they’re a critique of a culture that sometimes prioritizes image over integrity. If true, this isn’t just a spat; it’s a systemic flaw.
At the heart of this drama is a plea for respect, for a return to the idea that true champions build each other up, not tear each other down. Skinner’s words carry weight, not just as an Olympian, but as someone who’s felt the sting of exclusion firsthand. Maybe it’s time for the sports world to listen.
As this story unfolds, one thing is clear: the conversation about fairness, respect, and accountability in athletics is far from over. Skinner’s decision to break her silence might just be the spark that forces a reckoning. And in a world quick to cancel rather than converse, that’s a victory worth cheering for.
