"I have not fully dealt with the emotional and verbal abuse" - MyKayla Skinner apologizes for her comments on U.S. Olympic Gymnastics Team

MyKayla Skinner has apologized following her comments about the USA’s gymnastics team to the Paris 2024 Olympic Games. The 27-year-old previously criticized the abilities of the team, calling Simone Biles the only "talented" member. Others in the team include Suni Lee, Jordan Chiles, Jade Carey and Hezyl Rivera.

MyKayla Skinner, speaking on a video that has since been deleted, said that the sport is not what it used to be. The former gymnast added that things have become tougher because of the U.S. Center for SafeSport, a nonprofit entity focused on ensuring that coaches and athletes work in an environment that is free from emotional, physical, and sexual abuse and misconduct.

She claimed that with the stringent SafeSport, coaches can no longer push athletes out of their comfort zones since they have to be extra careful.

"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," Skinner said.

"And it's hard too because of SafeSport. Like, coaches can't get on athletes and they have to be really careful what they say. Which, in some ways, is really good but at the same time, to get to where you need to be in gymnastics you do have to be, I feel like, a little aggressive and a little intense."

Her comments caused an uproar in the gymnastics community, and she has now apologized for them.

In a post shared on her X handle, MyKayla Skinner wrote that her comments were not intended to hurt anyone. She explained that it was important for the sport to keep evolving, adding that she would be out to cheer the American team in their quest for glory in Paris.

Skinner also opened up about the stricter rules of working under Marta Karolyi and said there was a lot of healing she needed to go through since it was not an easy run for her.

"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. Your hard work and dedication has paid off and I congratulate each and every one of you," she wrote.

"Upon reflection, I was comparing the ‘Marta era’ to the current era. I am coming to terms that I have not fully dealt with the emotional and verbal abuse I endured under Marta that perhaps led to my hurtful comments. I take full responsibility for what I said and I deeply apologize."

MyKayla Skinner offers advice to athletes looking to make it to the top

Gymnastics - Artistic - Olympics: Day 9

MyKayla Skinner advised athletes to focus on what they love if they want to make it to the top in the competitive world of sports.

The 27-year-old emphasized the spirit of sisterhood and holding each other’s hand to succeed. MyKayla Skinner added that confidence was key for an athlete to succeed and that they should always believe in themselves.

Speaking to Inside Gymnastics Magazine in 2023, she said:

"I love seeing these girls actually feel like they accomplish something after they hit that routine.

"So I think just being there, enjoying it, having fun, and most importantly, the biggest thing for me was just having confidence. Once I found that confidence in myself, it made the biggest difference in my gymnastics.

"And just believing in yourself, trusting the process, and just going out there and just doing what you can do and not holding back. Gymnastics is a tough sport and I want to see these girls succeed in every way that they can."

MyKayla Skinner competed in two editions of the Olympics before retirement. She made her debut at the 2016 Rio Olympic Games as an alternate before making the team to the delayed 2020 Tokyo Olympic Games.

In Tokyo, she did not leave empty-handed as she won a silver medal in the vault final after Simone Biles dropped out.