MyKayla Skinner 's husband, Jonas Harmer, has praised the former Olympic gymnast as the "strongest person" amid her public debacle with Team USA icon Simone Biles .
After making remarks about Biles and facing backlash for criticizing the American gymnastics squad, who clinched gold at the 2024 Olympics, Skinner became the target of death threats. Harmer showed his support on social media following Skinner's admission and removal of her comments regarding the gymnastics team. Skinner captioned her plea 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 athlete reached out to Biles in hopes of resolving their conflict and urged her former teammate to help put a stop to the death threats she's been receiving. "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! " Harmer commented beneath her post.
READ MORE: Olympics commentator corrected after misgendering U.S. shot putter live on air
READ MORE: Paris restaurant staffer opens up on Serena Williams dispute and makes 'recognizable' claim
Skinner, attempting to hold back the tears, addressed the issue on Instagram: "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.
"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 went on to say: "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."
In the original YouTube video, Skinner questioned the ability of Biles' teammates Jordan Chiles, Jade Carey, Suni Lee and Healy Rivera to compete at the highest level. "Besides Simone, I feel like the talent and the depth just isn't like what it used to be," Skinner had remarked.
After Team USA's all-around gymnastics victory, Biles posted a photo of the team with a caption that seemed to respond to Skinner's comments. "lack of talent, lazy, olympic champions," Biles wrote.
The record-breaking gymnast also defended her younger teammates, with her comments appearing to counter Skinner's earlier concerns. "It's important because you have to teach them to use their voices," Biles said, referring to 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."
Most Popular
Comments / 0