Simone Biles has apparently been blocked on social media by her former USA Gymnastics teammate MyKayla Skinner amid their escalating online feud.
The problems between the two began when Skinner criticized USA Gymnastics’ Olympic roster ahead of the current games, saying in a since-deleted YouTube clip that “other than Simone,” the “girls just don’t have the work ethic” or “talent.”
After winning team gold at the Paris Olympics on Tuesday, Biles responded to Skinner on Instagram, writing: “lack of talent, laziness, Olympic champions.”
Now, as Biles hinted at on X, she no longer has access to Skinner’s social media posts: “Oops, I’ve been blocked.”
And just in case there was any doubt, Biles’ current teammate Jordan Chiles shared a photo online showing Skinner’s blank Instagram page on a mobile phone. And to clear up any confusion, Chiles added a caption: “When she blocks Simone.”
Simone Biles attacked her former Olympic teammate MyKayla Skinner (left) on Instagram this week
Simone Biles seemingly crossed the line with her former teammate MyKayla Skinner
Biles’ current teammate, Jordan Chiles, shared a photo online showing Skinner’s blank Instagram page.
Biles is not the only current and former Team USA member to mock Skinner after her gold-medal performance on Tuesday. American gymnastics queen McKayla Maroney has also been drawn into the bitter feud.
“It doesn’t get more iconic than this,” Maroney wrote on Instagram in response to Biles’ post. “(Skinner) fucked up and found out.”
Maroney then joked about sharing a nickname with Skinner.
“I feel like I need to apologize just to get my first name back,” she wrote.
Skinner, who won silver on vault at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, has come under fire for her comments about her former teammates.
“Aside from Simone, I feel like the talent and depth isn’t what it used to be,” the 27-year-old said on YouTube.
“Girls just don’t have the work ethic,” Skinner continued before referencing the Center for SafeSport USA, a nonprofit created to reduce sexual and emotional abuse of athletes in U.S. Olympic sports.
“And it’s also difficult because of SafeSport. Coaches can’t criticize athletes and they have to be very careful about what they say,” Skinner said.
“Which, in a way, is great. But at the same time, to get to where you need to be in gymnastics, you have to be, I think, a little bit aggressive and a little bit intense.”
Immediately after that, Biles responded to Skinner, writing on Threads: “not everyone needs a microphone and a platform.”
From left, Suni Lee, Simone Biles and Hezly Rivera celebrate after winning the gold medal.
Simone Biles captioned her celebratory post with a veiled photo of a former Team USA member.
Maroney joked that he needs to apologize just for sharing a first name with Skinner.
Skinner would later apologize.
“I want to formally apologize to Team USA and our gymnastics community for my comments during my recent YouTube episodes about the Olympic gymnastics trials. I did not mean to offend or disrespect any of the athletes or take away from their hard work,” Skinner’s July 6 apology read.
She continued: ‘After reflection, I was comparing the ‘Marta (Karolyi) era’ with the current era.
‘I am accepting that I have not fully overcome the emotional and verbal abuse I suffered under Marta’s command, which may have led to my hurtful comments. I take full responsibility for what I said and deeply apologize.’
Skinner ended his apology by wishing the gymnasts luck in Paris and telling them he would be “cheering them all on.”
Biles and Skinner have represented Team USA at several competitions, including the 2020 Olympics.