McKayla Maroney is firmly on Simone Biles’ side, reacting with humor and support after Biles and her teammates clinched gold at the 2024 Paris Olympics.
This triumph came after MyKayla Skinner controversially claimed they lacked “talent and depth,” even branding one member “lazy.”
As Biles, Jordan Chiles, Jade Carey, Sunisa Lee, and Hezly Rivera celebrated their victory on Tuesday, Biles addressed Skinner’s earlier criticisms with a pointed Instagram post. “Lack of talent, lazy, Ol ympic champions ?????,” she captioned a photo of the jubilant team.
Maroney added her voice to the mix, commenting on Biles’ post with, “She f’d around n found out [for real]. Feels like I need to apologize just to redeem my first name.” Her playful remark underscored her support for Biles and the rest of the team.
In response, Skinner re-posted a photo of Team USA on her Instagram Story, adding multiple heart emojis. She had previously apologized for her comments, which had stirred considerable backlash, and deleted the YouTube video where she had questioned the team’s work ethic.
“It was not my intention to offend or disrespect any of the athletes or take away from their hard work,” Skinner wrote to her Instagram followers. “Your hard work and dedication have paid off, and I congratulate each and every one of you.”
RELATED: Simone Biles Claps Back at People Commenting on Her Hair Amid Heatwave in Paris
Skinner and Biles had competed together in the 2021 Tokyo Olympics, where their team secured silver medals, with Biles also winning bronze on the balance beam. Biles’ accomplishments further extend back to the 2016 Rio de Janeiro Olympics, where she earned four gold medals and another bronze.
With the recent victory in Paris, Biles surpassed Shannon Miller’s record of seven Olympic medals, becoming the most decorated gymnast in history. Her husband, Jonathan Owens, celebrated this milestone on Instagram. Owens, a 29-year-old NFL player who married Biles in April 2023, previously sparked controversy by admitting he didn’t know who she was before they met.
“Witnessing history every time you step on the mat ??,” Owens wrote in his celebratory post. “So thankful I was there to see it ????.”
The joyous atmosphere around Biles and her teammates’ victory was a testament to their hard work and dedication, as well as a pointed rebuttal to any doubts about their abilities. As Biles continues to break records and set new standards, the support from her peers like Maroney, and the unwavering presence of her husband, underscore the strong community surrounding this iconic gymnast.
