Biles fired back at a former Olympic silver medalist who criticized her team's "work ethic" when it was announced they would be competing in Paris.
Simone Biles seemed to throw thinly-veiled shade at MyKayla Skinner’s “work ethic” slam after winning her eighth Olympic gold medal on Tuesday.
After it was announced last month that Biles’ American gymnastics team would be competing in Paris, Skinner—the 2020 vault silver medalist—took to YouTube to castigate the team (except for Biles) in a since-deleted video.
"Besides Simone, I feel like the talent and the depth just isn't like what it used to be," Skinner said of Biles’ teammates Suni Lee, Jordan Chiles, Jade Carey, and Hezly Rivera. "Just notice, like, I mean, obviously a lot of girls don't work as hard. The girls just don't have the work ethic."
Skinner later issued a video apology, claiming her remarks were “misinterpreted or misunderstood.” On July 6, she posted a more detailed statement to her social media accounts in which she formally apologized for her comments.
Yesterday, after her team won gold, Biles took to Instagram to celebrate the occasion and rub a bit of salt in Skinner’s wounds. "Lack of talent, lazy, Olympic champions ❤️????????????," Biles captioned the post, showing the team holding an American flag aloft.
Everyone in the comments had kind words for Biles and Team U.S.A. Less encouraging were the words for Skinner. “F around and find out,” read several comments directed at the former Olympian.
“Go, ladies!! Welcome to the club!!????????????????????????????????????????????????????????,” fellow Olympic gold medalist Dominique Moceanu said.
“Four letter word for all the haters,” wrote figure skating champ Michelle Kwan. “G.O.A.T ????!!! Bravo.”
“Congrats @simonebiles,” enthused @lauren.askins, “you’re a true hero! A mental health warrior and the ultimate example for girls, women, and men!”
After Biles and her team won gold, Skinner posted a picture of the team on her Instagram Stories with three heart emojis above the image.
