Olympic gold medalist Simone Biles has criticized the work ethic of her former teammates, calling them "lazy" and lacking "talent" in a since-deleted Instagram post.
**Tokyo Olympic gymnast MyKayla Skinner had called out the 2024 team's work ethic, "besides Simone," in a since-deleted video.** Biles responded with a fiery Instagram post featuring a collage of photos showing her and her teammates carrying the American flag after winning the gold medal in the team final.
In her post, Biles pulled no punches, writing, "Lack of talent, lazy, Olympic champions."
Simone Biles Claps Back at Critic, Calls Out Former Teammates' Work Ethic
In an interview with PEOPLE, Biles defended her decision to call out her ex-teammate, saying that she needed to take the "team lead" for her teammates as a three-time Olympian.
"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."
Simone Biles Claps Back at Critic, Calls Out Former Teammates' Work Ethic
"For somebody to stand up, I know it meant a lot for [my teammates]," Biles added.
Skinner, who was part of the 2021 U.S. Olympic team alongside Biles, said in her newest video that she thought she had made up with Biles and was "heartbroken" over what the war of words has now become. She added that she received death threats and pleaded for Biles to tell her fanbase to cool it.
Simone Biles Claps Back at Critic, Calls Out Former Teammates' Work Ethic
"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 publicly responded to Skinner's plea.
In Paris, Biles won two more gold medals and a silver medal.
The feud between Biles and Skinner has cast a shadow over the U.S. women's gymnastics team, which is preparing for the 2024 Olympics in Paris. The team has been plagued by injuries and controversy in recent years, and the public spat between Biles and Skinner has only added to the turmoil.
It remains to be seen whether Biles and Skinner can resolve their differences and come together to help the U.S. team win gold in Paris. But for now, the feud between the two gymnasts is a reminder of the challenges that the team faces both on and off the mat.
In the wake of the feud between Biles and Skinner, some have questioned whether Biles is a good leader. They have pointed to her public criticism of her teammates and her decision to leave the 2020 Tokyo Olympics early due to mental health concerns.
However, others have defended Biles, saying that she is a strong and courageous leader who is not afraid to stand up for herself and her teammates. They point to her many accomplishments, including her four Olympic gold medals, and her work to raise awareness about mental health issues.
Ultimately, it is up to each individual to decide whether they believe Simone Biles is a good leader. There is no right or wrong answer, and there is no doubt that Biles is a complex and controversial figure. However, there is no denying that she is one of the most successful and influential gymnasts of all time.
