Gymnast MyKayla Skinner has recently spoken out against her former Olympic teammate Simone Biles, accusing her of “belittling, dismissing, and ostracizing” her during their time together in the gymnastics world.
Skinner’s statement came after Biles publicly criticized Riley Gaines, a conservative activist and former swimmer, for her anti-transgender remarks.
The Conflict Between Skinner and Biles
On June 14, 2025, Skinner, 28, made her remarks public through One America News, expressing frustration with Biles’ behavior. Skinner, who won a silver medal at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics and was an alternate in the 2016 Rio Olympics, shared her own experience of feeling mistreated by Biles.
Skinner said that Biles had been dismissive and unsupportive towards her, claiming that the pressure to remain silent during this time was immense. She revealed that despite the harsh treatment, she kept quiet out of respect for the team and the sport.
Skinner also expressed dismay over Biles’ comments about Riley Gaines, who has been vocal in her opposition to transgender athletes competing in women’s sports.
Skinner stated that it was troubling to see Biles label another female athlete, Gaines, as a “sore loser” simply for expressing concerns about fairness in sports.
Skinner also praised Gaines for having the courage to speak out, suggesting that female athletes should be supportive of each other rather than using their platforms to bully those who share different opinions.
Simone Biles’ Support for the Transgender Community
Simone Biles, 28, has been an advocate for inclusivity and competitive equity in sports. Her comments on social media targeted Riley Gaines after Gaines posted criticism about a transgender athlete, Marissa Rothenberger, who competed as a pitcher on a high school softball team.
Gaines called Rothenberger “a boy,” a comment that led Biles to call Gaines “sick” and a “sore loser,” accusing her of bullying transgender individuals rather than supporting their inclusion in sports.
Biles later apologized for the personal nature of her remarks, acknowledging that her comment did not contribute to the ongoing debate about fairness in sports for transgender athletes.
In a follow-up message, Biles expressed her belief in the importance of both competitive equity and inclusivity in sports, while recognizing that her approach to the situation had been less than ideal.
Previous Tensions Between Skinner and Biles
The relationship between Skinner and Biles has not been without tension in the past. Skinner, who was outspoken about the state of the U.S. women’s gymnastics team ahead of the 2024 Paris Olympics, made critical comments about the lack of depth and work ethic in the team after Biles took a break from competition.
Skinner’s remarks in a now-deleted YouTube video about the team not working as hard as in previous years appeared to irritate Biles, who responded via Instagram Threads, saying, “Not everyone needs a mic and a platform.”
Later, Skinner apologized for her comments, stating her intention to offer an apology to Team USA and the gymnastics community, acknowledging that her statements were hurtful.
The Ongoing Debate Over Transgender Athletes in Sports
The disagreement between Biles, Skinner, and Gaines is tied to a larger debate over the participation of transgender athletes in sports.
The Trump administration has been vocal in opposing states that allow transgender athletes to compete in sports that match their gender identity.
Recent events, including the success of 16-year-old transgender athlete AB Hernandez in California’s state track meet, have led to further political discussions and legal actions surrounding transgender athletes’ participation in female sports.
Following Hernandez’s victories in the high jump and triple jump, the California Interscholastic Federation revised its rules to accommodate both transgender and biological female athletes.
These changes have been met with resistance from some groups, including Gaines, who is part of a movement questioning the fairness of transgender athletes competing in women’s events.
MyKayla Skinner’s statement highlights the underlying tensions within the gymnastics community and the broader sports world, where athletes and activists are navigating the complexities of gender identity in competitive sports.
While Skinner’s criticism of Simone Biles centers around personal treatment and support for Riley Gaines, it also touches on a much larger issue of fairness and inclusivity in sports.
The ongoing debate continues to stir strong emotions, with athletes like Biles advocating for inclusivity and fairness, while others, like Gaines, argue for the preservation of equal competition for women. The conversation is far from over, and it’s clear that these issues will continue to shape the future of sports.
