"It was right in that moment to stand up for them": Simone Biles defends her stance on MyKayla Skinner controversy

11-time Olympic medalist Simone Biles shared her take on standing up for her USA gymnastics teammates after the former gymnast and Tokyo Olympics silver medalist, MyKayla Skinner, questioned them for their work ethic and talent.

The incident dates back to the time when the American team of Biles, Suni Lee, Jordan Chiles, Jade Carey, and Hezly Rivera secured their spots for the Paris Olympics after the conclusion of the US Olympic Trials in June. To share her expert comments on the team, Skinner hosted a watch party on her YouTube channel during the trials, and made controversial remarks. In the now-deleted video, Skinner said that the US team, except for Biles, lacked "talent and depth," and she also questioned their work ethics.

Following that, the retired gymnast garnered scrutiny from fans and sports pundits. Later, the same American lineup won the team all-around title, while Simone Biles, Suni Lee, Jade Carey, and Jordan Chiles went on to secure medals in the individual categories as well. After their victory, Biles posted a picture on her Instagram with a caption that appeared to be a subtle jab at Skinner.

In a recent development, the three-time Olympian discussed why it became necessary for her to back her teammates amid the recent controversy during an interview with People. She said:

"It's important because you have to teach them to use their voices. 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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Simone Biles is the only one who accepted MyKayla Skinner's apology

Tokyo 2020 Olympics - Previews - Day -1 - Source: Getty

In an Instagram video, MyKayla Skinner narrated her heartbreaking experience, describing how she, her family, and even her agent have been subjected to online abuse. She even revealed that all of them have received d*ath threats.

The 27-year-old former Olympian revealed that she sent personal apologies through each team member's social media DMs and added that only Simone Biles responded. She said:

"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, however, expressed her surprise and disappointment at the resurfacing of the controversy even after apologizing.