MyKayla Skinner is begging Simone Biles to urge her fans to stop online harassment and death threats directed at the former USA Gymnastics star amid their escalating feud.
“I was sincerely hoping that this wouldn’t need to be addressed again, but unfortunately things have gotten out of hand lately,” an emotional Skinner said on Instagram on Tuesday, while claiming that she and her family have been the subject of death threats.
“So, Simone, I am asking you directly and publicly to please put an end to this,” Skinner continued.
Skinner sparked a fierce backlash after recently questioning the dedication of the current U.S. gymnastics team, comments that resurfaced after a cryptic social media post by Biles: “lack of talent, laziness, Olympic champions.”
Since then, Skinner says, she and her family have been targeted by cyberbullies.
MyKayla Skinner asks Simone Biles to help her fight cyberbullies
Simone Biles captioned her celebratory post with a veiled photo of a former Team USA member.
Skinner sparked the online feud by sharing her thoughts on the U.S. women’s gymnastics team in a YouTube video ahead of the Paris Games.
“Aside from Simone, I feel like the talent and depth isn’t what it used to be,” the 27-year-old said on YouTube, only to later apologize for the comment.
Now, however, Skinner claims it is she, her husband, her daughter and even her agent who are being harassed online.
“I’m here because four weeks ago I made a comment about work ethic and what seems to be happening with the new generation,” Skinner said at the top of his Instagram video.
“To be perfectly clear, I 100 percent accept that I misspoke the point I was trying to make,” she continued. “The last thing I wanted to do was cause harm or offend our U.S. Olympic team. I know these women are amazing, the best of the best. And almost all of them are my former teammates, who I’ve thoroughly enjoyed cheering on over the years.”
“I posted a video apology on Instagram and then sent a written apology and individual messages to each of the women on the team,” Skinner said. “Only Simone responded and told me she was proud of me.
‘You can imagine my surprise last week when I was celebrating our team’s gold medal win, and saw all of this reappear in the caption of an Instagram post.
‘If Simone truly believes that I called our team lazy and lacking in talent and that is what she truly thinks, it breaks my heart. But not just because that is not how I feel… but because Simone’s latest post (on social media) and others that followed fueled another wave of hateful comments, direct messages, articles and emails – hate that includes death threats against me, my family and even my agent.
‘My family and friends don’t deserve to be caught in the crossfire. They haven’t done anything.
“So, Simone, I ask you directly and publicly to please stop this,” she concluded. “Please ask your followers to stop.”
“You’ve been an incredible advocate for mental health awareness and so many people need your help right now. We’ve been hurt and attacked in ways I’m sure you never intended. Your performance, the team’s performance, and the Olympics in general should be a time for us to support each other and lift each other and our country up. I love our country and I love our team and I hope we can move forward and lift up the rest of our teammates and our athletes together.”
Simone Biles (left), Jordan Chiles (center), Jade Carey (second left), Sunisa Lee (second right) and Healy Rivera
Biles fans wasted no time in mocking Skinner after the gymnastics legend made even more history with another gold on Thursday.
“Mykayla Skinner could NEVER,” wrote one.‘I wonder what Mykayla Skinner has to say now,’ another added.
“What a lazy and talentless performance @Simone_Biles @sunisalee,” added a third, tagging Skinner in the post.
Biles’ U.S. teammate Suni Lee earned a bronze medal after a sensational effort on floor, while Brazil’s Rebecca Andrade took silver.
“Haters will say she’s lazy and not as talented as them,” joked a third fan, while another suggested Skinner’s comments actually boosted the American stars’ success on Thursday.
“Shout out to Mykayla Skinner because she brightened Simone and Suni’s spirits today,” they wrote.
Biles recovered from a rare mistake on the uneven bars to secure the ninth medal of her Olympic career.
The 27-year-old bounced back with standout performances on beam and floor to beat off competition from Andrade and enhance her legacy as America’s all-time greatest.