Simone Biles dramatic 'work ethic' social media spat with former Team USA gymnastics teammate

The world of Olympic gymnastics is abuzz with news of a social media feud involving former US international competitor MyKayla Skinner and her ex-teammate, the legendary Simone Biles. The squabble came to light when Jordan Chiles, another member of Biles' squad, shared a screenshot on Instagram on Wednesday, revealing that Skinner had blocked Biles following their disagreement.

Chiles uploaded an image with the caption "When she blocks Simone." This was not well-received by fans w ho quickly defended Biles , suggesting that retired competitors like Skinner shouldn't create drama within the Olympic team's ranks.

Adding to her already impressive record, Biles triumphed at the Paris 2024 Olympics on Tuesday. She made history as the first American gymnast to amass a total of eight Olympic medals after delivering an unforgettable floor routine in a dazzling $3,000 leotard, adorned with 3,423 Swarovski crystals, further cementing her status as one of gymnastics' greatest.

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SIMONE BILES CONTROVERSIAL INSTAGRAM POST

Skinner, who was part of the victorious 2014 World Championships team and secured a vault silver in the Tokyo 2020 Games, had previously stirred controversy with her pointed comments about Biles' current teammates - Chiles, Jade Carey, Suni Lee, and Hezly Rivera, reports the Mirror .

In a comment that has since been removed from X, Skinner stated, "Besides Simone, I feel like the talent and the depth just isn't like what it used to be. The girls just don't have the work ethic." Biles replied back on social media, stating, "Not everyone needs a mic and a platform."

Skinner then headed to her YouTube channel to issue an official apology, which included Biles in her behind-the-scenes footage from the Tokyo Olympics . Skinner expressed: "I want to formally apologize to Team USA and to our gymnastic community for my comments during my recent YouTube episodes of the gymnastics Olympic trials. It was not my intention to offend or disrespect any of the athletes or to take away from their hard work.

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"Reflecting on it, I realize I was comparing the Marta [Karolyi] era to now. I'm beginning to understand that I haven't completely processed the emotional and verbal abuse I went through with Marta, which probably influenced my insensitive words. I fully own up to what I said and am truly sorry."

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After clinching gold, Biles subtly alluded to the comments, captioning her celebratory photo with her teammates and the US flag backdrop as "Lack of talent, lazy, Olympic champions," which the Parisian audience greeted with cheers. The public's support for Biles was evident, further amplified by Chiles' comment on the post , which garnered over 42k likes.

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The post received support from a host of celebrities, including Biles' NFL star husband Jonathan Owens, R&B sensation SZA, and former Team USA gymnast Laurie Hernandez. Olympic icons Dominique Moceanu and Michelle Kwan also chimed in with praise, with Kwan commenting, "Four-letter word for all the haters-G.O.A.T. Bravo."

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