2024 Olympics: Why Simone Biles Addressed MyKayla Skinner’s Comments Amid Win

Simone Biles shared why she called out former teammate MyKayla Skinner’s comments about the Team USA gymnasts amid their impressive Paris Olympics run.

The 27-year-old got candid about her decision to defend her fellow Team USA gymnasts Jordan Chiles, Suni Lee, Jade Carey, and Hezly Rivera following criticism from former Olympian MyKayla Skinner as the athletes performed at the 2024 Paris Olympics.

“It’s important because you have to teach them to use their voices,” Biles told People in an article published Aug. 6 of her decision to speak out. “And if not, you’re a voice for the voiceless, which is OK.”

Biles took home a total of four Olympic medals, including a team women’s all-around gold. After the impressive win, Biles posted photos from the competition, writing, “Lack of talent, lazy, olympic champions.”

Many took the caption to be a direct diss toward Biles’ former teammate Skinner, who called out the gymnasts’ “work ethic” in a since-deleted YouTube video.

Skinner, who competed in the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, later apologized for the video, saying she supported the Team USA gymnasts and was cheering them on.