MyKayla Skinner's fans call Simone Biles 'bully,' extend support to Riley Gaines
Recently, a war of words erupted between the two stars after Gaines attacked the Minnesota's Champlin Park softball team for reportedly including a 17-year-old trans player into the side. Taking note of it, Biles called Gaines 'sick' and a 'sore loser.'
The feud further escalated after the 11-time Olympic medalist told Gaines to 'bully someone your own size, which would ironically be a male.'
Later on, Biles apologized for her remarks, noting that 'competitive equity & inclusivity' were an essential part of sports.
In reply, the former swimmer accepted the apology and called Simone Biles 'the greatest female gymnast of all time'.
Skinner shared a statement with One America News, attacking Biles for her remarks. The gymnast lauded Gaines for "having the courage to speak up."
She said, "Throughout my own career, I endured being belittled, dismissed, and ostracized behind the scenes by Simone. The pressure to stay silent was immense." Further, she alleged that she kept quiet on the matter out of respect for the sport and her teammates.
Also read: Simone Biles issues apology to Riley Gaines after explosive feud: 'It didn't help'
Several of Skinner's fans have come out in her support on social media.
"Thank you, Mykayla. You are a true role model for little girls with gymnastics aspirations," one person wrote on X.
Another one added, "Well said Kayla."
Some accounts even asserted that Biles was a "bully".
Notably, Skinner and Biles were teammates during the 2020 Tokyo Olympics.
In a statement, Skinner alleged that she was "belittled, dismissed, and ostracized behind the scenes" by Biles throughout her career.
She has now retired from competitive gymnastics, but does take part in the sport as a commentator.
Earlier, it was reported that Simone Biles and Suni Lee unfollowed MyKayla Skinner on social media over her controversial statement against the US Olympic gymnastics team.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Time of India
33 minutes ago
- Time of India
IOA calls for termination of BFI's interim committee; to declare all its decisions ‘null and void'
BFI president Ajay Singh New Delhi: The three-member fact-finding commission appointed by the Indian Olympic Association (IOA) has submitted its report on the Boxing Federation of India (BFI), urging the immediate 'termination' of the interim committee endorsed by World Boxing and led by Ajay Singh until Saturday, citing violations of the national sports code, 2011. The report declared that decisions made by the panel since its establishment on April 7, 2025, are 'null and void'. Go Beyond The Boundary with our YouTube channel. SUBSCRIBE NOW! TOI has obtained a three-page letter by IOA president PT Usha , addressed to both World Boxing president Boris Van der Vorst and the sports ministry, in which, she stated that the national Olympic committee's (NOC) inquiry committee identified the March 7 notification issued by then BFI president Singh as 'the central issue causing delays in the election process'. The notification on March 7 followed former sports minister Anurag Thakur's intention to contest the BFI presidency against Singh, who was seeking a third term. The notification stated: 'Bonafide and duly elected members during the election AGM (duly notified to BFI) of the state units affiliated with the BFI shall be authorised to represent their respective states/union territories'. In her letter, Usha wrote: 'The committee has observed that the appointment of a candidate (read Singh) in the upcoming elections as chairman of this interim body constitutes a significant conflict of interest. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like 20 Pieces of Clothing Older Women should Avoid Learn More Undo While the undersigned (read Usha) acknowledges World Boxing's likely intention to ensure administrative continuity, the committee has opined that this arrangement effectively allows Singh to retain control over the BFI, which is considered both unconstitutional and legally untenable. ' Usha further stated that the IOA's committee provided specific recommendations to restore democratic governance and safeguard the integrity of Indian boxing. These recommendations include 'the immediate conduction of elections to the BFI's executive committee preferably under the supervision of the IOA or an independent authority designated by the high court or the ministry of youth affairs and sports (MYAS). The process must adhere to the BFI's memorandum (as amended up to June 24, 2022).' Poll Do you support the termination of the interim committee led by Ajay Singh? Yes, it's necessary for fair governance No, they should be allowed to continue Unsure, need more information Additionally, the committee recommended 'the immediate suspension or termination of the interim committee established by World Boxing through its letter dated April 7, 2025. All decisions taken by this interim committee should be declared null and void, as they were made in violation of both the BFI constitution and the national sports code, 2011. Until a duly elected executive committee is formed, the BFI should be placed under the supervision of a neutral, non-partisan committee appointed by the IOA. All financial and policy decisions should be undertaken under the direct oversight of the IOA, which the committee believes is in the best interest of Indian boxing.' The BFI's interim committee has scheduled the federation's elections for Aug 21. Sources have indicated that the ministry is likely to instruct the IOA to oversee the electoral process. However, since World Boxing will be sending its observer and has approved the elections, any govt or external interference could contravene the Olympic charter, potentially leading to an indefinite ban of the BFI by the sport's global body. Moreover, if the BFI proceeds with its elections despite the IOA's objections, the ministry could refuse to acknowledge the elections and suspend the federation. Catch Rani Rampal's inspiring story on Game On, Episode 4. Watch Here!
Time of India
39 minutes ago
- Time of India
Dennis Rodman's daughter Trinity gets heartfelt praise from Los Angeles Lakers legend Magic Johnson after her latest achievement
Magic Johnson and Trinity. Image via: Juan Ocampo/NBAE via Getty Images | Brad Smith/ISI Photos / Getty Images Trinity Rodman made headlines once again as the Washington Spirit forward delivered a stunning game-winning goal against the Portland Thorns, marking her return from injury in spectacular style. The moment was enough to electrify the crowd. He stunning performance also earned a public message of praise from Los Angeles Lakers legend and part-owner of the Spirit, Magic Johnson. Trinity Rodman earns heartfelt praise from Lakers legend Magic Johnson On a thrilling evening in D.C., Rodman reminded fans why she's a generational talent. With just minutes left on the clock, she buried a decisive goal to give the Washington Spirit a 2–1 victory. For Trinity, it was a storybook return after injury kept her sidelined for weeks. Magic Johnson, who is part of the Spirit's ownership group, didn't hold back his excitement on X. He wrote, 'Welcome back superstar Trinity Rodman! Congratulations on scoring the game winning goal for our Washington Spirit in a 2-1 victory over the Portland Thorns. The entire National Women's Soccer League (NWSL) has missed you!' It wasn't the first time Johnson praised the young forward, but this moment carried added emotion. After all, Rodman's prowess in the game has become as much a part of her identity as her footwork and finishing. Trinity explained her relationship with her father, Dennis Rodman In an emotionally raw interview earlier this year on Call Her Daddy, she opened up about her strained relationship with her father, NBA Hall of Famer Dennis Rodman. 'He's not a dad,' Trinity said. 'Maybe by blood, but nothing else. Hearing his voice is painful.' She described a childhood marked by instability, often living in a car with her mother, while her father's absence left emotional gaps. Even when Dennis Rodman showed up — like when he surprised her at her NWSL debut — the gestures felt more about control or spectacle than support. 'I answer the phone now for my conscience,' she added, 'to be like, he needed to hear my voice before anything else happens.' Also Read: Indiana Pacers star Tyrese Haliburton attends WWE SummerSlam in style amid his Achilles injury Despite the emotional weight she carries, Trinity Rodman continues to shine on her own terms. She's earned a World Cup appearance, Olympic gold, and now, the admiration of sporting legends like Magic Johnson. Catch Rani Rampal's inspiring story on Game On, Episode 4. Watch Here!
The Hindu
an hour ago
- The Hindu
How a missed chance became motivation: Sujeet Kalkal's rise in wrestling
Whenever Indian wrestler Sujeet Kalkal feels short of motivation, he pulls out his phone and looks at the wallpaper. The 22-year-old has had his share of wrestling highlights recently. In July, Sujeet won India's first gold medal of the year at the UWW (United World Wrestling) Ranking Series in Budapest, defeating Olympic bronze medallist Islam Dudaev of Albania, two-time Olympian Vazgen Tevanyan of Armenia, and four-time European medallist Ali Rahimzade of Azerbaijan in the men's 65kg division. In a strong field, Sujeet scored 33 points while conceding just two across four matches — a result that marks him as a potential medal contender at the World Championships in September. The picture on Sujeet's phone, however, isn't from Budapest. It's from Istanbul, taken during last year's World Wrestling Olympic Qualification Tournament, where he experienced one of the lowest moments of his career. Having won the selection trials in India, Sujeet had hoped to qualify for the Paris Games at the Asian Olympic Qualifiers in Jordan. But in a turn of misfortune, his connecting flight to Amman was delayed due to a record-breaking flood in Dubai. At the World Qualifiers — a much tougher field — Sujeet made it to the semifinals, needing just one more win to book his Olympic ticket. But he fell short. He lost 6-1 to Mongolia's Tulga Tomor-Ochiryn, and then came agonisingly close against World Champion Zain Retherford of the USA, losing 2-2 on criteria. (Sujeet lost because Retherford scored the final takedown) It's a picture of the match against Tulga that Sujeet glances at every time he picks up his phone. While most athletes might have been bitterly disappointed about missing out on making their Olympic debut, Sujeet sees things differently. 'Although I lost, I consider these two defeats to be the most important matches for me. I might have qualified for the Olympics had I somehow won, but I don't think I was mentally ready then. I learned so much from my two losses. The fact that I lost just 2-2 against a world champion gave me a lot of motivation. I realised how much more I had to work on,' he says. But that's not the only thing atypical about India's latest prospect in men's freestyle wrestling. He's a relatively late bloomer in the sport, only seriously pursuing it since the last five years. He once had dreams of being an engineer and routinely peppers his conversation with English. Sujeet might have been expected to take to wrestling as a matter of tradition. He traces his roots to Imlota, a village in Haryana's Bhiwani district with a strong wrestling culture. His father, Dayanand, is a former national wrestling champion and even competed at the 2005 World Championships in the Greco-Roman category. Method wrestler: 'I was always drilled on technique, that's the kind of wrestler I've become,' says Sujeet. | Photo Credit: RV MOORTHY Sujeet, however, wasn't pushed into the sport. Although he started going to the village akhara with his father from the age of six, he, unlike many Indian wrestlers, was expected to give equal importance to his studies. Unable to focus solely on wrestling, Sujeet's career features no major success at the cadet (Under-17) or junior (U-19) levels. 'He scored over 90 per cent in his Class 12 Board Exams. Because he excelled in his studies, I didn't want to push him to wrestle the way he had to if he had to win at the age-group levels. Kushti karwane aur sikhane me farak hai (there's a kind of wrestling you do when you want to learn the sport, and a kind you do when you have to win). While Sujeet was in school, I just wanted him to learn,' says Dayanand. It was only after Sujeet graduated from school that he decided to focus solely on becoming a wrestler. 'I was in the non-medical stream and initially thought about preparing for the JEE (Joint Entrance Exam). I even gave a few mock tests. But after my Class 12 exams, my father said I had to choose which direction I wanted to go. I finally decided I wanted to be a wrestler. I loved the sport. When I was growing up, I'd watch videos of Sushil (Kumar) and Bajrang (Punia). I used to really enjoy those videos. I was good in studies, of course, but I felt I could do more for myself and the country as a wrestler,' says Sujeet. He moved to Sonipat to train with coach Kuldeep Singh, who recalls the youngster standing out particularly because of his intelligence. 'He didn't have any big results at the age-group levels for two reasons. One, of course, was because he was managing his studies alongside his sport. The second was that, unlike a lot of junior athletes, he never changed his age to get an unfair advantage. But his best quality was just how quickly he picked up things. He started training at our academy in 2021, and within four years, he's now one of the best wrestlers in India,' says Kuldeep. Atypical Indian wrestler The unorthodox route Sujeet has taken in his career has influenced the kind of wrestler he is. 'Most of the top Indian wrestlers have a game that is based on tiring out opponents. That's because the training that most of them have is designed to build up stamina. When I watch someone like Bajrang pehelwan, it's really exciting because he wrestles for all six minutes, and when he is competing, you always know that even if he is trailing in the score, he will break the opponent physically and then come back in the last few seconds of the match,' says Sujeet. 'It's fun to watch, but I can't wrestle that way. When I started wrestling, I was always drilled on technique. Even now I'm more of a technical wrestler,' he says. That's what coach Kuldeep identifies as Sujeet's strength too. 'He's not going to tire out an opponent. But he's very sharp and explosive. He doesn't like to give away easy points, and if he can, he will try to finish off matches as early as possible,' says Kuldeep. Making it count: Having fallen short of making it to Paris 2024, Sujeet is determined not to miss out again. | Photo Credit: RV MOORTHY Ever since making his senior national debut in 2022 — where he won silver — Sujeet has made a concerted push to claim the top spot in one of India's marquee weight categories. While he emerged as the national representative in 2024 after winning the selection trials, Sujeet admits that he still has some way to go before cementing his place in the Indian squad. His loss at the Olympic Qualification Tournament only further motivated him. 'That tournament gave me the confidence that I could compete at a very high level, but it also helped me to understand just where I have to improve. I used to do very little strength training before last year. I was mostly just doing mat practice. I've added a lot more strength training to my routine now. If I give myself about 70 out of 100 when it comes to my technique, I think I will give myself about 50 out of 100 when it comes to my strength. 'I went to train in Japan and Russia, and both of those gave me the opportunity to polish my technique,' he says. Double World goal While he had hoped to push his case further at the Asian Championships at the start of the year, an unlucky injury to his right ankle in his second bout forced him to forfeit the remainder of the tournament. The injury, diagnosed as a ligament tear, took nearly two months to heal. The Budapest Ranking Series marked his comeback. It was just one tournament, but the nature of his dominance suggests the injury is firmly behind him. It's also a timely boost as Sujeet gears up for the rest of the season. 'My goal for this season is to medal at both the Senior and U-23 World Championships (in September and October of this year). I know I have the capability of doing both,' he says. There's a long-term goal too. Although he doesn't specify the details, the Los Angeles 2028 poster in his room in Sonipat hints at it. Having fallen short of making it to Paris 2024, he's determined not to miss out again. 'By the next Olympics I want to be confident that I am as ready and well prepared as I can be,' he says. Related Topics Sujeet Kalkal /
