A FORMER teammate of Simone Biles has hit out at the gymnastics icon in a stinging statement.
Biles, 28, was caught up in a feud with former college swimmer and activist Riley Gaines, 25.
GettySimone Biles was criticized by a former USA gymnastics teammate[/caption] GettyMyKayla Skinner was on the USA team with Simone Biles at the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games[/caption]Seven-time Olympic champion Biles hit out at Gaines over a tweet she sent about transgenders.
Gaines has been campaigning against trans athletes competing in women’s sports.
Biles called Gaines a “sore loser” and said her campaign was because of the result of one of her races.
Now MyKayla Skinner has stepped in to back Gaines and claims Biles “belittled, dismissed and ostracized” her.
Skinner and Biles were on the same USA gymnastics team at the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games.
And Skinner said in a statement, “As an athlete who has dedicated years to a sport, I’ve always believed that true competition should elevate us — not diminish others.
“That’s why it’s deeply troubling to see Simone Biles publicly label a fellow female athlete a ‘sore loser’ simply for expressing valid concerns about fairness in women’s sports
“I commend and appreciate Riley Gaines for having the courage to speak up.
“Throughout my own career, I endured being belittled, dismissed and ostracized behind the scenes by Simone.”
“It’s one thing to disagree. It’s another to use your platform to bully and demean.
“We should be lifting each other up — not tearing one another down for speaking hard truths.”
Skinner criticized the USA gymnastics squad heading into the Paris 2024 Olympic Games.
Biles won three gold medals last summer in France to take her total to seven overall.
She issued a public apology to Gaines for her “personal” remarks last week.
Before that, Gaines made reference to the abuse Biles had suffered at the hands of disgraced former USA gymnastics doctor Larry Nassar.
GettyRiley Gaines was in an online feud with Simone Biles over trans athletes[/caption]Biles said, “I wanted to follow up from my last tweets.
“I’ve always believed competitive equity & inclusivity are both essential in sport.
“The current system doesn’t adequately balance these important principles, which often leads to frustration and heated exchanges, and it didn’t help for me to get personal with Riley, which I apologize for.
“These are sensitive, complicated issues that I truly don’t have the answers or solutions to, but I believe it starts with empathy and respect.
“I was not advocating for policies that compromise fairness in women’s sports.
“My objection is to be singling out children for public scrutiny in ways that feel personal and harmful.
“Individual athletes—especially kids—should never be the focus of criticism of a flawed system they have no control over.
“I believe sports organizations have a responsibility to come up with rules supporting inclusion while maintaining fair competition.
“We all want a future for sport that is fair, inclusive, and respectful.”
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