MyKayla Skinner is making headlines as she supports Riley Gaines while voicing her criticism of former teammate Simone Biles. Skinner, 28, recently stated that Biles treated her poorly during their time as competitors. Although she didn’t provide specific examples, Skinner claimed Biles “belittled, dismissed and ostracized” her during their shared experiences in gymnastics.
In a statement released through One America News, Skinner expressed her dismay at Biles’ recent remarks about Gaines, who has been vocal against the participation of transgender athletes in women’s sports. Skinner emphasized that real competition should uplift all athletes, not tear them down, and criticized Biles for calling Gaines a “sore loser” for simply voicing her concerns about fairness in sports.
Skinner commended Gaines for her bravery in speaking out. She explained the immense pressure she felt to remain silent out of respect for teammates and the sport, indicating that she, too, faced significant challenges behind the scenes.
Biles, an eleven-time Olympic medalist, initially reacted to Gaines’ comments about a transgender athlete in a post that sparked this conflict. Biles accused Gaines of bullying transgender athletes rather than promoting inclusivity in sports.
The exchange between Biles and Gaines highlights ongoing debates about transgender participation in athletics, amidst calls for fair competition. Skinner concluded her statement by urging athletes to support each other, emphasizing that disagreements shouldn’t be handled through bullying.
This situation reflects larger societal issues concerning gender, competition, and what it means to support fairness in sports. The responses to this conflict show just how passionate people are about these matters, and how they intersect with personal experiences and public platforms.
