Harmer showed his support for Skinner on social media following her admission regarding her now-removed comments about the US team. Skinner titled her video : "I love our country and don't want to take anything away from our athletes. Let's use this time to build each other up, not tear others down."
The ex-Olympic gymnast reached out to Biles in hopes of resolving their conflict and called on her former teammate to help put an end to the death threats she's been getting. "Proud of you for apologizing when you did, staying quiet when you did, and now standing up for yourself. You're the strongest person I know!", Her spouse commented beneath her post.
Skinner expressed her distress on Instagram, trying to contain her emotions: "I sincerely hoped that this topic wouldn't have to be revisited, but unfortunately things have really gotten out of hand lately," she said. "Why I'm here is because four weeks ago, I made a comment about work ethic and what seems to be taking place with the rising generation."
Skinner stated: "To be totally clear, I take 100 percent for poorly articulating the point I was trying to make. The last thing I wanted was to cause harm or offend our US Olympic Team. I know these women are incredible - the very best of the best. And almost all of them are my former teammates, who I have enjoyed very much cheering on the last few years."
She continued: "I posted a video apology on Instagram and I followed up with a written apology and I sent individual messages to each of the women on the team. Only Simone had responded, and she told me that she was proud of me."
Skinner had previously questioned the abilities of Biles' teammates, Jordan Chiles, Jade Carey, Suni Lee, and Healy Rivera, in a YouTube video. "Besides Simone, I feel like the talent and the depth just isn't like what it used to be," Skinner had said.
However, following Team USA's all-around gymnastics triumph, Biles posted a photo of the squad with a caption that seemed to address Skinner's comments. "lack of talent, lazy, Olympic champions," Biles wrote.
Biles also defended her younger teammates, countering Skinner's concerns. "It's essential to teach them to use their voices," Biles said, referencing her younger teammates.
"And if not, you're a voice for the voiceless, which is okay. I just felt like it was right in that moment to stand up for them, because they're so young and they haven't fully stood in their power yet."
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