Simone Biles Fires Back at MyKayla Skinner’s Viral ‘Work Ethic’ Comments After 2024 Olympics Win

Simone Biles had a hot take on her history-making Olympic championship. 

The 27-year-old most decorated American Olympic gymnast took to Instagram to celebrate her team’s gold medal win on Tuesday, sharing a handful of photos from their celebratory moment. In her caption, she appeared to take aim at former Olympic gymnast MyKayla Skinner‘s viral comments earlier this month about the future champions’ lack of “work ethic.” 

“Lack of talent, lazy, Olympic champions,” Biles captioned her post, adding in a trio of red heart, gold medal and United States flag emojis. 

Among those commenting was McKayla Maroney, who previously competed alongside Biles in the 2012 London Olympics as a member of the “Fierce Five.” 

“It doesn’t get more iconic than this,” Maroney wrote on Biles’ latest post. 

Then, appearing to reference Skinner, she added, “She f’d around n found out fr. Feels like I need to apologize just to redeem my first name.” 

Biles’ husband, NFL player Jonathan Owens, issued a similar statement, writing, “F AROUND AND FIND OUT.” 

Current Team USA gymnast Jordan Chiles added, “and that’s on periodt!!” 

Biles, Chiles, Suni Lee, Jade Carey and Hezly Rivera took the home gold in the artistic gymnastics team finals on Tuesday, marking their first medal at the 2024 Paris Olympics. 

Their victory comes weeks after Skinner posted a since-deleted YouTube video on July 3 that questioned everyone but Biles’ dedication to the sport, among other things.

“Besides Simone, I feel like the talent and the depth just isn’t like what it used to be,” she said in the video that was captured and shared on social media. “I just notice, like, I mean, obviously a lot of girls don’t work as hard. The girls just don’t have the work ethic.”

Biles seemingly responded to the comments at the time, sharing on Instagram Threads, “not everyone needs a mic and a platform.” Chiles’ mother, Gina, also tweeted, “Whoa. She really said that out loud and posted it. That’s something.”

Skinner followed up with a mea culpa on her Instagram Story, claiming her comments were “misinterpreted” and she never intended to hurt anyone. The 2020 Olympics vault silver medalist added she’s “seriously so happy” for the team that was selected to represent Team USA in Paris this year. 

Biles has been filled with gratitude amid her Olympics comeback. The athlete — who is often referred to as the gymnastics G.O.A.T., or “Greatest Of All Time” — also posted a collection of competition images on Instagram with the caption, “Grateful to be doing what I love🥹💙.” 

This year marks Biles’ third Olympics and her first after being forced to drop out of multiple events at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics.  At that time, Skinner took Biles’ place in the vault competition and won a silver medal. 

On Tuesday, Biles was joined by her husband as she won her eighth Olympic medal. The accomplishment makes her the most decorated American Olympic gymnast and ties her with 1904 Olympian Anton Heida for the most gold medals earned by an American gymnast. 

“Witnessing history every time you step on the mat 😍🔥,” Owens wrote on Instagram. “Congrats baby on becoming the most decorated American gymnast in Olympic history!!!! Just wow!!!! 8 of them!!!!! So thankful i was there to see it ❤️🤍💙”

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