In a recent and unexpected controversy, Olympic silver medalist MyKayla Skinner has publicly accused her former teammate, gymnastics icon Simone Biles, of disrespect and personal mistreatment. The accusation comes amid a broader national debate surrounding transgender participation in women’s sports—a debate in which Biles and former NCAA swimmer Riley Gaines have found themselves on opposing sides.
The Spark: Gaines Criticizes Trans Athlete Participation
The controversy began when Riley Gaines, a vocal advocate for the exclusion of transgender women from women’s sports, commented on a high school softball championship in Minnesota. Referring to a transgender athlete who played for the winning team, Gaines posted online, “Comments off lol. To be expected when your star player is a boy.” The post ignited backlash and renewed discussions about fairness, biology, and inclusivity in sports.
Gaines, who once tied with transgender swimmer Lia Thomas in the NCAA championships, has become known for her strong public stance, claiming that allowing transgender women to compete in women’s divisions undermines fairness in female athletics.
Simone Biles Responds—and Faces Backlash
Simone Biles, the most decorated gymnast in history, responded to Gaines’s remarks with strong criticism. In a series of now-deleted social media posts, Biles called Gaines “a sore loser” and “truly sick,” suggesting that Gaines’s activism stemmed from her inability to accept past competitive results. Biles also proposed the idea of a separate category for transgender athletes, attempting to strike a balance between fairness and inclusion.
However, Biles’s personal tone was widely criticized, and many felt her comments crossed the line into body-shaming and bullying. In response to the backlash, Biles issued a public apology, admitting that she let her emotions get the best of her and that she “shouldn’t have made it personal.” Shortly afterward, she deactivated her account on the platform, though she remains active on others.
Skinner Speaks Out
In the wake of this exchange, MyKayla Skinner entered the conversation, making headlines with a strongly worded statement. Speaking in an interview and through conservative media channels, Skinner criticized Biles not only for her treatment of Gaines but also for what she described as a longstanding pattern of disrespectful behavior during their time as teammates.
“Throughout my own career, I endured being belittled, dismissed, and ostracized behind the scenes by Simone,” Skinner said. “The pressure to stay silent was immense. But seeing her bully another woman into silence pushed me to speak out.”
Skinner expressed admiration for Riley Gaines, calling her “brave” and “a voice for fairness in women’s sports.” She defended Gaines’s right to express her views without being attacked and claimed that Biles, with her massive influence, should be using her voice to uplift others, not tear them down.
Past Tensions Resurface
This is not the first sign of tension between Biles and Skinner. In 2024, Skinner criticized the training ethic and preparation of the U.S. women’s gymnastics team, implicitly including Biles. Biles responded via social media, implying that “not everyone deserves a platform.” Following the exchange, Skinner blocked Biles online, indicating deeper issues between the two athletes.
Skinner now asserts that her recent comments are not born of personal bitterness but of a desire to shed light on a toxic culture where dissenting opinions—especially those that challenge mainstream narratives—are silenced or mocked.
Mixed Public Reaction
The public reaction to Skinner’s comments has been sharply divided. Some support her for standing up to what they view as unchecked celebrity influence and for highlighting the challenges faced by women who question inclusion policies. Others have defended Biles, pointing to her achievements, leadership, and previous efforts to support teammates.
While Simone Biles has not yet responded directly to Skinner’s accusations, many within the gymnastics community have taken sides or called for unity. Coaches, former gymnasts, and fans have weighed in, with opinions split between admiration for Skinner’s courage and criticism of her timing and tone.
Gaines Welcomes Support
Riley Gaines, for her part, welcomed Skinner’s defense. In interviews, she expressed gratitude for the support and reiterated that her fight is about protecting fairness and integrity in women’s sports. She even left the door open to possible future collaboration with Biles, “if she’s ever willing to have a real conversation.”
Conclusion: More Than Just Personal Drama
This controversy extends far beyond a personal spat between athletes. It touches on some of the most sensitive and polarizing issues in sports today: fairness, inclusion, gender identity, and the influence of social media. At the heart of it are three women—Biles, Skinner, and Gaines—each navigating fame, advocacy, and responsibility in a very public arena.
As the debate continues, one thing is clear: the world of women’s athletics is undergoing a major cultural reckoning, and the voices shaping that transformation are growing louder on every side.
