Simone Biles Responds to Criticism with Poise
In a vibrant display of camaraderie and pride, Simone Biles and her fellow gymnasts Suni Lee, Hezly Rivera, Jade Carey, and Jordan Chiles celebrated their achievements while dancing with the American flag. The joy radiating from their smiles was palpable, as they reveled in their remarkable journey as Olympic champions. However, beneath this cheerful facade, Biles made a statement that would resonate far beyond the confines of a social media post.
In her Instagram caption, Biles wrote, “lack of talent, lazy, olympic champions,” a phrase that seemed to be directed at her former teammate, MyKayla Skinner. This bold remark came shortly after Skinner had made controversial comments about the current state of gymnastics. Following the recent Olympic Trials, Skinner had shared a now-deleted YouTube video where she expressed her belief that the depth of talent in gymnastics had diminished, stating, “besides Simone, I feel like the talent and depth isn’t what it used to be.” She further criticized the work ethic of many gymnasts, claiming that “a lot of girls don’t work as hard” as they should.
Skinner, who earned a silver medal alongside Biles in the Tokyo Olympics, also suggested that SafeSport—a program aimed at preventing abuse in sports—was hindering coaches from pushing their gymnasts to their full potential. She questioned the level of competition at the trials by remarking on the performance of a gymnast who “fell twice” yet still managed to secure second place.
Unlike many athletes who often claim to disregard public opinion, Biles is acutely aware of the discourse surrounding her. She is not shy about addressing criticism head-on. Since her return to gymnastics after the Tokyo Olympics, Biles has been vocal about dealing with detractors who label her a quitter. In a swift response to Skinner’s comments, Biles took to social media to assert that “not everyone needs a mic and a platform.” In a subsequent turn of events, Skinner issued an apology, acknowledging that her experiences with Márta Károlyi may have contributed to her “hurtful comments.” Yet, it appears that Biles has not fully embraced this reconciliation.
Required Reading
- The Night Simone Biles Was the Center of Gravity at the Olympics Once Again
- Simone Biles, U.S. Women’s Gymnastics Golden Once Again After Dominant Display in Olympic Team Final
- For Simone Biles Fans in Paris, It Was a ‘Once-in-a-Lifetime’ Olympic Ticket
(Photo of Simone Biles: Ulrik Pedersen / DeFodi Images via Getty Images)
