MyKayla Skinner Reflects on Alleged ‘Emotional and Verbal Abuse’ by Former Team USA Coach
According to MyKayla Skinner, she is “coming to terms” with the mistreatment she supposedly experienced at the hands of former Team USA coach Márta Károlyi.
In an official statement provided to Us Weekly on Sunday, July 7, Skinner, 27, stated, “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.” The retired gymnast faced harsh criticism for her criticism of the work ethic of the gymnasts who will be competing in Paris in 2024.
She claimed in her statement, “It was not my intention to disrespect or offend any of the athletes or to take away from their hard work.” “I congratulate each and every one of you; your dedication and hard work have paid off.”
“Upon reflection, I was comparing the ‘Márta Era’ to the current era,” Skinner said. I am acknowledging that my cruel remarks may have resulted from my failure to adequately address the emotional and verbal abuse I experienced from Marta. I truly apologize and accept full responsibility for what I said.
Like many Olympic gymnasts, Skinner had her training under Béla Károlyi, the well-known coach of USA Gymnastics’ national team, and Márta, the previous national team coordinator. In particular, Marta’s purported actions were emphasized in an Associated Press exposé that came out in 2018.
In her final statement to Us, Skinner said, “It is most important to me that the sport I love continues down the path of healing and ensures a positive environment for everyone.” “I’m hoping for the best for you in Paris. I’ll be here to support everyone! Bravo, USA Team!
Also Read – After winning a gold medal, Jordan Chiles confirms that MyKayla Skinner “blocked” Simone Biles
USA Gymnastics has been contacted by Us for comment
The former Olympian and gymnast apologized in writing after criticizing the current Team USA gymnasts’ lack of work ethic during the 2024 Olympic Trials in Paris.
The 2016 and 2021 Olympian Skinner stated, “Aside from Simone [Biles], I feel like the talent and the depth just isn’t what it used to be,” in a June YouTube video. Of course, a lot of girls don’t put in as much work. Simply said, the girls lack a strong work ethic. (Biles, Suni Lee, Jade Carey, Jordan Chiles, and Hezly Rivera are on the women’s Olympic gymnastics squad for 2024.)
She continued at the time to add that coaches “can’t get on athletes” as a result of SafeSport, which is beneficial in some aspects but still requires some aggression and intensity to advance in the sport of gymnastics. Responding “to sexual, physical, and emotional abuse,” the U.S. Center for SafeSport is an autonomous organization serving the American Olympic and Paralympic movements.
Also Read – The Story Behind Simone Biles’ Adoption: What Fans Need to Know
Earlier in July, Skinner issued an apology for her remarks, emphasizing that she was merely drawing an analogy rather than “sticking up for Marta or saying what she did was good.”
“It was primarily about returning to my own gym and realizing that the work ethic now isn’t the same as it was during the Marta era,” she remarked. All I’m saying is that it was unique. I apologize for any offense that may have been taken out of context or appeared unkind; I genuinely love those ladies and would never intentionally hurt them.
Gymnasts such as Olympian Dominique Moceanu, who recently lauded current Team USA for putting athletes’ well-being first and lambasted her former coaches, have long questioned the Károlyis’ training techniques.
Also Read – Is Simone Biles Pregnant? The Truth About Rumors She’s Expecting a Baby
Moceanu, 42, wrote via X on Thursday, July 4, saying, “As someone who was directly coached by Béla & Marta Károlyi, who began their coaching careers in the U.S. in 1981, I experienced the intensity & demands of their decades-long influence firsthand.” (Moceanu participated in the Atlanta Olympics in 1996.)
During this period of reflection on our nation’s independence, Moceanu stated, “We must proceed with care as we transition from the Károlyi era to prioritizing well-being over medals.” He went on to say that “this shift is essential” to “support athletes’ health while nurturing their competitive spirit.”
