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MyKayla Skinner says her comments about the U.S. Olympic gymnastics team were “misinterpreted.”
In a series of Instagram Story posts shared on July 3, the Olympic silver medalist posted a video clarifying comments she made in a YouTube video, in which people believe she criticized the “work ethic” of this year's Olympic gymnasts heading to Paris.
On June 30, five gymnasts were selected to compete for Team USA at the 2024 Paris Olympics: Simone Biles, Suni Lee, Jordan Chiles, Jade Carey and Hezly Rivera. Traveling replacement athletes Joscelyn Roberson and Leanne Wong will also be on standby as alternates.
In the now-deleted YouTube video, Skinner said the rest of the team did not have the “talent” level of Olympic champion Biles.
“Other than Simone, I feel like the talent and depth is not what it used to be,” the 2020 Olympic silver medalist on vault said. “You see, obviously, a lot of girls don’t work as hard. Girls just don’t have the work ethic.”
After the video began circulating, those involved or those on the current team have apparently criticized Skinner.
In a post shared on Instagram Threads, Biles wrote that “not everyone needs a microphone and a platform.” Meanwhile, Chiles’ mother Jordan commented: “Wow. She actually said it out loud and posted it. That’s something…”
Skinner wrote on his Instagram story: “Just clarifying what was said in my current video!”
“Hey guys, I just wanted to stop by quickly, because I know we did the recap on YouTube,” the apology video began. “And I feel like a lot of you misinterpreted or misunderstood exactly what I meant or what I said.”
She added that “a lot of the things” she talked about in the video “weren’t necessarily always about the current team, because I love and support all the girls who made it and I’m so proud of them.”
The former gymnast went on to say that her comments were largely based on her own experience returning to gymnastics and seeing how younger gymnasts train today.
“It was more about going back to my own gym, just the work ethic is different compared to when we did gymnastics at the [former team coordinator] Martha [Károlyi] “I am not defending Márta or saying that what she did was right, I am just saying that it was different.”
“Anyway, I’m sorry for anything that came out of context or seemed hurtful. That was never my intention,” she said, concluding her series of posts. “And seriously, throughout the entire video, I was so excited for the girls, and it was so fun to watch rehearsals and do a live stream with everyone.”
She stressed that she “loves” the women on the current team and wishes them the best in Paris.
“I would never do anything to make them feel any different,” Skinner concluded. “I’m so sorry if that came off badly. I didn’t mean to at all.”
The Paris 2024 Olympic Games will begin on July 26.
