American gymnast Simone Biles has delivered a brutal message to her ex-teammate after winning gold at the Paris Olympics.
On Tuesday, Biles put her disappointments from Tokyo 2020 behind as she dazzled during the United States’ route to Artistic Team All-Around gold.
Biles, alongside Suni Lee, Jordan Chiles, Jade Carey, and Hezly Rivera finished top of the standings after amassing 171.296 points. Italy won the silver and Brazil won the bronze.
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Prior to the Olympics, former silver medalist for the USA, MyKayla Skinner questioned the talent and work ethic of the gymnastic team.
She said in a video: “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.”
Shortly after, Skinner retracted her comments, saying: “I want to formally apologise 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.”
After winning gold this week, Biles took to Instagram and appeared to issue a response to Skinner’s comments.
Posting a picture of her with the team, the caption read: “Lack of talent, lazy, Olympic champions.”
Things appeared to escalate even further after Chiles posted a picture of Biles’ phone on Skinner’s account with a caption saying: “When she blocks Simone.”
Biles then wrote on X: “Oops I've been blocked.”
Reacting to Team USA’s victory, coach Cecile Landi said: “They called it their redemption tour, and that's what it is. They wanted the gold they couldn't get in Tokyo.
“Simone was glad it was over for today. The whole team hasn't been easy, it's had its ups and downs so to make it happen was just a relief. After Tokyo I'm so happy we're here on the other side.”
Biles is back in action on Thursday afternoon as she competes in the Women’s Artistic Individual All-Around event.
Topics: Simone Biles, USA, Gymnastics, Olympics
Marcus Chan