‘From Quitter to Loser’: Simone Biles Accused of Bullying Ex-teammate MyKayla Skinner #42

The Olympic gymnast is under renewed public scrutiny after a fellow gymnast and former Team USA member accused her of emotional mistreatment and exclusion during their years together on the U.S. Olympic team.

Mykayla Skinner’s emotional claims against Simone Biles, shared during a recent interview with Fox News, have ignited heated debates across social media platforms, pitting critics and defenders of both women against each other.

A Youtube user comment, dated June 17, 2025 | Source: YouTube/FoxNews

A Youtube user comment, dated June 17, 2025 | Source: YouTube/FoxNews

In the interview, Maykayla, 28, alleged that she endured years of “belittling” behavior from Simone, pointing to incidents during training camps and major competitions, including the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games.

Mykayla Skinner in an interview with Fox News, dated June 16, 2025 | Source: YouTube/FoxNews

Mykayla Skinner in an interview with Fox News, dated June 16, 2025 | Source: YouTube/FoxNews

“Now that I have a daughter… I want the future of women’s gymnastics and women’s sports in general to have fairness,” Mykayla said, explaining her motivation to come forward now.

She also voiced support for activist and former NCAA swimmer Riley Gaines, whose stance on trans inclusion in women’s sports has drawn national attention.

Mykayla Skinner voicing support for Riley Graines during interview with Fox News, dated June 16, 2025 | Source: YouTube/FoxNews

Mykayla Skinner voicing support for Riley Graines during interview with Fox News, dated June 16, 2025 | Source: YouTube/FoxNews

“There have been multiple times throughout my Olympic journey… where she has come and belittled all of us…I wanted to stay silent… because she has a huge platform,” she added.

Mykayla described one instance during the last Olympic cycle as a tipping point. After posting a commentary video about the Olympic trials at the request of fans, she said a clip from it was taken out of context and went viral, leading to intense online backlash.

Mykayla Skinner speaking about the "belittling" behavor she received from Simone Biles in an interview with Fox News, dated June 16, 2025 | Source: YouTube/FoxNews

Mykayla Skinner speaking about the “belittling” behavor she received from Simone Biles in an interview with Fox News, dated June 16, 2025 | Source: YouTube/FoxNews

She claimed her publicist even received hate and threats as a result, and despite reaching out to Simone and other teammates, she said no one responded. “It was really hard. I felt so isolated,” Mykayla recalled.

She also claimed that the toxic environment extended beyond Tokyo. “There were multiple times when things happened and it was just swept under the rug,” she alleged, saying that other gymnasts also felt dismissed or unsupported.

Mykayla Skinner talks about "toxic environment" Simone Biles created during interview with Fox News, dated June 16, 2025 | Source: YouTube/FoxNews

Mykayla Skinner talks about “toxic environment” Simone Biles created during interview with Fox News, dated June 16, 2025 | Source: YouTube/FoxNews

Simone has yet to publicly respond to Mykayla’s statements. But the internet had plenty to say.

Simone Biles and her team during podium training dated May 31, 2024 | Source: X/Simone_Biles

Simone Biles and her team during podium training dated May 31, 2024 | Source: X/Simone_Biles

On YouTube, Mykayla’s supporters came out strong, with some users writing things like, “Biles has gone from quitter to loser,” and “Bile is vile.” Another posted, “FINALLY… we need more athletes to stand with Riley. Thank you Mykayla.”

Mykayla Skinner competing in the Women's Vault Final during the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games at the Ariake Gymnastics Centre in Tokyo, Japan on August 1, 2021 | Source: Getty Images

Mykayla Skinner competing in the Women’s Vault Final during the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games at the Ariake Gymnastics Centre in Tokyo, Japan on August 1, 2021 | Source: Getty Images

“S.B.’s true colors are being exposed. She’s no one’s role model. Never was,” one user wrote, while another added“So Simone is a bully. She underestimated Riley and didn’t realize Riley would not be quite like the other girls.”

“Good on you [Mykayla] for speaking out against bullies! I applaud your bravery,” another comment read.

“The crazy thing is, Simone didn’t have to say anything,” one post said.

Mykayla Skinner and Simone Biles during the Women's Floor Exercise Final on day ten of the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games at Ariake Gymnastics Centre in Tokyo, Japan on August 01, 2021  | Source: Getty Images

Mykayla Skinner and Simone Biles during the Women’s Floor Exercise Final on day ten of the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games at Ariake Gymnastics Centre in Tokyo, Japan on August 01, 2021 | Source: Getty Images

However, not everyone agreed with Mykayla’s claims.

Mykayla Skinner of Team United States wins silver medal following the Women's Vault Final on day nine of the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games in Tokyo, Japan on August 01, 2021 | Source: Getty Images

Mykayla Skinner of Team United States wins silver medal following the Women’s Vault Final on day nine of the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games in Tokyo, Japan on August 01, 2021 | Source: Getty Images

Some questioned the legitimacy of her story, suggesting she may have ulterior motives. One user commented“Mykayla is the one with a history of bullying.”

Another called the whole situation “comical,” writing“She was ‘bullied’ because they didn’t return her call. Yet she has no specific incident where Simone bullied her. To funny.[sic]”

Mykayla Skinner embraces teammate Jade Carey in the Women's Vault Final on day nine of the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games in Tokyo, Japan on August 01, 2021  | Source: Getty Images

Mykayla Skinner embraces teammate Jade Carey in the Women’s Vault Final on day nine of the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games in Tokyo, Japan on August 01, 2021 | Source: Getty Images

Another viewer posted, “Who remembers Mykayla Who remembers Simone Biles…EVERYBODY!!!!! Stop with this nonsense-story! This is not a story. Especially when we only hear your version of events. Stop trying to eat off Simone. [sic]”

“She’s lying. Nobody has never even hear of Skinner. She’s just mad bc she was never able to achieve all the success SB has [sic],” one user said.

Mykayla Skinner in the air during the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games at the Ariake Gymnastics Centre in Tokyo on August 1, 2021  | Source: Getty Images

Mykayla Skinner in the air during the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games at the Ariake Gymnastics Centre in Tokyo on August 1, 2021 | Source: Getty Images

“She said she was bullied but she never actually said what words were exchanged and he kept giving her chances to explain what the ‘bullying’ was [sic],” another viewer noted.

Some even suggested that Skinner’s complaints stem from being unable to handle the high-pressure nature of elite sports. “Mykayla seems like she cant handle competing at a high level. Professional athletics are highly competitive and the ultimate in meritocracy. Be the BEST or LOSE. Really simple. [sic]”

Mykayla Skinner competes in the vault event of the artistic gymnastics women's vault final at the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games in Tokyo on August 1, 2021 | Source: Getty Images

Mykayla Skinner competes in the vault event of the artistic gymnastics women’s vault final at the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games in Tokyo on August 1, 2021 | Source: Getty Images

Another post read“Belittled ?? funny Just because she’s better than you? What a shame[sic].”

As the debate rages on, Riley Gaines, whom Mykayla cited as a motivating figure, also found herself under fire following a harsh social media comment from Simone.

Kentucky swimmer Riley Gaines swims the 200 Butterfly prelims at the NCAA Swimming and Diving Championships at the McAuley Aquatic Center in Atlanta, Georgia on March 19th, 2022 | Source: Getty Images

Kentucky swimmer Riley Gaines swims the 200 Butterfly prelims at the NCAA Swimming and Diving Championships at the McAuley Aquatic Center in Atlanta, Georgia on March 19th, 2022 | Source: Getty Images

In response to one of Riley’s tweets about trans athletes, Simone fired back with a scathing message:

“You’re truly sick, all of this campaigning because you lost a race. Straight up sore loser. You should be uplifting the trans community… But instead… You bully them… One thing for sure is no one in sports is safe with you around!!!!!”

But shortly afterward, Simone appeared to walk back the tone of her message in a more measured post on social media.

“I’ve always believed competitive equity and 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,” she wrote.

As the public reckons with the layers of personal pain, activism, and athletic legacy now intertwined in this unfolding feud, one thing is clear: the conversation around fairness, inclusion, and respect in women’s sports is far from over. While Mykayla’s revelations and Simone’s responses continue to divide opinion, they’ve also exposed deeper tensions within elite athletics that won’t be resolved by a single post or interview.

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