Simone Biles is done in Paris leaving a lasting impression on many at the Olympic Games.
But there was one person in particular who is still feeling it: MyKayla Skinner.
The feud between the two has reached a point where Skinner is now pleading with her former U.S. gymnastics teammate to call off her rabid fans.
Skinner has revealed that she and her family have received death threats over comments made about this year’s U.S. women’s gymnastics teams prior to the Games in Paris.
“I sincerely hoped that this topic wouldn’t have to be revisited, but unfortunately things have really gotten out of hand lately,” an emotional Skinner said in the video posted to Instagram on Tuesday.
https://www.instagram.com/p/C-VTyXsJFp6
“So, to Simone, I am asking you directly and publicly to please put a stop to this,” Skinner continued.
Prior to the Games, Skinner made comments about the talent and depth of the team heading to Paris during an interview on YouTube.
“Besides Simone, I feel like the talent and the depth just isn’t like what it used to be. Just notice like, I mean, obviously a lot of girls don’t work as hard. The girls just don’t have the work ethic,” Skinner said in a since-deleted YouTube video, which went viral on X.
She later apologized for the remarks.
After Biles and Co. won gold in the team event, she seemingly threw some shade at Skinner’s comments, posting a pic of the squad celebrating with the caption: “lack of talent, lazy, olympic champions.”
https://www.instagram.com/p/C-ESNIFIQ8l
Now, Skinner claims that she, her husband, daughter and even her agent are being bullied online.
“Why I’m here is because four weeks ago, I made a comment about work ethic and what seems to be taking place with the rising generation,” Skinner said.
“To be totally clear, I take 100% (responsibility) for poorly articulating the point I was trying to make.
“The last thing I wanted was to cause harm or offend our US Olympic Team. I know these women are incredible — the very best of the best.”
The 27-year-old then detailed how Biles’ post brought a wave of of hate upon her and her loved ones.
“If Simone truly believes that I called our team lazy and lacking talent and that’s how she really feels, I am really heartbroken over it. But not just heartbroken because it isn’t how I feel … but heartbroken because Simone’s latest post and others that followed it fueled another wave of hateful comments, DMs, articles and emails — hate that includes death threats to me, my family and even my agent.”
Skinner concluded the video by asking for help from the star gymnast, who has dealt with well-documented mental health issues in the past.
“My family and my friends don’t deserve to be caught in the crossfire here. They’ve done nothing.
“So, to Simone, I am asking you directly and publicly to please put a stop to this,” she concluded. “Please ask your followers to stop.
“You have been an incredible champion for mental health awareness and a lot of people need your help now. We’ve been hurt and attacked in ways that I am certain you never intended. Your performance, the team’s performance and the Olympics in general should be a time when we support one another and lift each other and our country up.
“I love our country and I love our team and I hope we can move on and move forward and cheer on the rest of our teammates and our athletes together.”