Simone Biles, set to compete for Team USA in the 2024 Paris Olympics, responded indirectly to criticism from her ex-teammate MyKayla Skinner about the team's dedication.
In a post on Threads on July 3, Simone wrote that, "Not everyone needs a mic and a platform."
Simone's post followed controversy sparked by MyKayla in a deleted YouTube video where she remarked, "Besides Simone, I feel like the talent and the depth just isn't like what it used to be."
Alongside Simone, gymnasts Suni Lee, Jade Carey, Jordan Chiles, and Hezly Rivera will represent Team USA in Paris.
"The girls just don't have the work ethic," MyKayla continued, before referencing the U.S. Center for SafeSport, a nonprofit organization, helping to end abuse in athletics. "And it's hard too because of SafeSport. Like, coaches can't get on athletes and they have to be really careful what they say."
"Which, in some ways, is really good," she noted, "but at the same time, to get to where you need to be in gymnastics you do have to be, I feel like, a little aggressive and a little intense."
And although MyKayla has since apologized—saying on her Instagram Story July 3 that she's "sorry for anything that got out of context or seemed hurtful"—her comments have made an impact online.
Former gymnast Vanessa Atler expressed support for the team, stating on her Instagram on July 4 that she has never witnessed such depth in the squad before.
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