MyKayla Skinner, a former Olympian known for her prowess in gymnastics, recently addressed the controversy surrounding her remarks about the current U.S. women’s gymnastics team ahead of the 2024 Summer Olympic Games in Paris. Skinner took to Instagram to clarify that her comments had been “misinterpreted” and were not directed at the current team members.
In a video posted on her Instagram Stories, Skinner, 27, expressed her unwavering support for the current team, emphasizing her pride in their achievements. “A lot of the stuff that I was talking about wasn’t always necessarily about the current team,” Skinner explained. “It was more about going back into my own gym. Just, the work ethic is different compared to when we were doing gymnastics in the Márta Károlyi era.”
Skinner, who won a silver medal at the 2020 Summer Olympic Games in Tokyo, acknowledged her initial comments had caused unintended controversy. “I love and support all the girls that made it, and I’m so proud of them,” she affirmed. “I would never do anything to make them feel otherwise.”
The controversy stemmed from Skinner’s remarks in a since-deleted YouTube video where she suggested a decline in talent and work ethic among current gymnasts compared to earlier eras. Her comments sparked a backlash on social media, with even Simone Biles, another prominent figure in U.S. gymnastics, seemingly responding to the situation.
In a brief post on Threads, Biles wrote, “Not everyone needs a mic and a platform,” which many interpreted as a subtle critique of Skinner’s comments.
Skinner concluded her Instagram message by apologizing for any misunderstanding caused. “Sorry if that came out wrong,” she said. “That was not my intentions at all.”
Skinner’s clarification aims to quell the controversy ahead of the Olympic Games, where the focus remains on the athletes’ performances and achievements.
