An emotional MyKayla Skinner pleaded to Simone Biles to tell her social media followers to cease with an onslaught of hate she and loved ones have received in the wake of past critical comments being brought to light.
In a candid video message posted to Instagram, Skinner — an Olympic silver medalist who competed with Biles at the Tokyo Games — spoke to the seven-time gold medalist directly amid a “wave of hateful comments” that have also included “death threats.”
“Simone, I am asking you directly and publicly, to please put a stop to this. Please ask your followers to stop, you have been an incredible champion for mental health awareness and a lot of people need your help now,” Skinner said.
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MyKayla Skinner issued a plea to Simone Biles in an Instagram video.mykaylaskinner2016/Instagram
MyKayla Skinner and Simone Biles at the Tokyo Games.Getty Images
“We’ve been hurt and attacked in ways that I am certain you never intended.”
Biles seemingly shaded Skinner after Team USA’s women’s gymnastics team captured gold in the all-around at the Paris Games.
The 27-year-old Biles used similar language in an Instagram post after Skinner criticized the team’s “work ethic” in a since-deleted YouTube video.
Skinner, 27, retired from gymnastics three years ago.
This story is developing. Please check back for updates.
