Simone Biles Claps Back at Former Teammate's Criticism, Defends Teammates

Olympic gymnast Simone Biles has hit back at former teammate MyKayla Skinner, who recently criticized the work ethic of the 2024 US Olympic gymnastics team. Biles posted a collage of photos on Instagram showing her and her teammates celebrating their gold medal victory, alongside a caption describing Skinner's comments as "lack of talent, lazy, Olympic champions."

Simone Biles, a three-time Olympian and one of the most decorated gymnasts of all time, has sparked a controversy by clapping back at former teammate MyKayla Skinner, who recently criticized the work ethic of the 2024 US Olympic gymnastics team.

Simone Biles Claps Back at Former Teammate's Criticism, Defends Teammates

In a since-deleted video, Skinner called out the team's work ethic, saying, "I'm not trying to hate, but they need to step it up besides Simone."

Biles responded by posting a collage of photos on Instagram showing her and her teammates carrying the American flag across the floor to celebrate their gold medal victory in the team final. In her post, Biles did not mince words.

Simone Biles Claps Back at Former Teammate's Criticism, Defends Teammates

"Lack of talent, lazy, Olympic champions," she wrote.

In an interview with PEOPLE, Biles defended calling out her ex-teammate, saying she needed to take the "team lead" for her teammates as a three-time Olympian.

Simone Biles Claps Back at Former Teammate's Criticism, Defends Teammates

"It's important because you have to teach them to use their voices. And if not, you're a voice for the voiceless, which is okay," Biles said. "I just felt like it was right in that moment to stand up for them, because they're so young and they haven't fully stood in their power yet."

"For somebody to stand up, I know it meant a lot for [my teammates]," Biles added.

Skinner has since apologized for her comments, saying she thought she had made up with Biles and was "heartbroken" over what the war of words has now become. She added that she has received death threats and pleaded for Biles to tell her fanbase to cool it.

"Simone's latest post and others that followed it fueled another wave of hateful comments, DMs, articles and emails. Hate that includes death threats to me, my family and even my agent. My family and my friends don’t deserve to be caught in the crossfire here. They’ve done nothing," Skinner said.

"To Simone, I am asking you directly and publicly to please put a stop to this. Please ask your followers to stop. You have been an incredible champion for mental health awareness, and a lot of people need your help now. We’ve been attacked in ways that I’m certain you never intended. Your performance, the team’s performance and the Olympics in general should be a time that we support one another."

Biles has not responded to Skinner's apology.

This controversy highlights the ongoing debate about the importance of team unity and the role of individual athletes in speaking out. Some argue that Biles was right to defend her teammates, while others believe that Skinner was simply expressing her opinion and that Biles' response was over the top.

Ultimately, it is up to each individual to decide where they stand on this issue. However, it is important to remember that both Biles and Skinner are world-class athletes who have represented the United States with honor.