MyKayla Skinner Controversies: Every time the Olympic gymnast received heavy backlash over her actions

MyKayla Skinner has been facing heavy backlash over the past few days for her comments on the USA gymnastics team, which was selected to compete at the upcoming Paris Olympics. Although the Olympic medalist later apologized, claiming she was ‘misunderstood’, it didn't result in anything but more criticism.

This was also not the first time Skinner came under public scrutiny over her controversial actions. Ever since her NCAA collegiate career, the 27-year-old has had to face severe backlash from the gymnastics community for one reason or another. Let's take a look at some of those instances.

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Three times MyKayla Skinner faced heavy criticism

2021 GK U.S. Classic

#1 2016 Rio Olympics

MyKayla Skinner was considered a future star in 2016 following an impressive display at the U.S. Gymnastics Olympic Team Trials. However, despite a spectacular performance, she wasn't named on the team for the Rio Olympics. Instead, she was selected as an alternate.

Following the team announcement, Skinner retweeted some controversial posts on X (then Twitter) along with racist emojis. Among them was a particularly offensive doctored photo of Gabby Douglas's body with Skinner's face added to it. However, the 27-year-old later issued an apology.

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#2 Showing anger at NCAA officials in 2019

MyKayla Skinner was a dominant force during her NCAA collegiate career at Utah University, but her actions from 2016 kept having an effect on the gymnast's public image. In a 2019 meet against UCLA, she received a score of 9.925 for her floor routine, the same score awarded to Katelyn Ohashi despite a rough landing on her first pass. Seeing the score, Skinner glared at the judges, the disappointment evident on her face, before being taken away by her coach.

In the same year, she tweeted:

"So far this season I’ve stuck 5 double fulls without both judges giving me a 10. Stay tuned for our meet vs UCLA on Saturday and see if we can make it 6!! #ilovegymnastics"

This issue became a huge talking point among fans of the sport.

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#3 Comments on Team USA selected for Paris Olympics 2024

MyKayla Skinner once again came under heavy criticism after her remarks on the Simone Biles-led Team USA went viral. The Tokyo Olympian claimed that the team, besides Biles, lacked work ethic.

"Besides Simone, I feel like the talent and the depth just isn't like what it used to be. Just notice like, I mean, obviously a lot of girls don't work as hard. The girls just don't have the work ethic," she said. (via People)

Skinner received heavy backlash, probably more than what she received for the 2016 incident. In fact, even Simone Biles was left offended. Before unfollowing her on Instagram, the seven-time Olympic champion wrote:

" Not everyone needs a mic and a platform"

Post by @simonebiles

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Skinner has since, apologized, claiming her words were 'misinterpreted’ and that she loved the girls.