“Please Put a Stop to This,” says MyKayla Skinner in response to Simone Biles’s comments about her Olympic “work ethic.”

After Team USA won the gold medal in the team all-around final, Simone Biles made fun of the former Olympic gymnast’s work ethic in a caption that MyKayla Skinner used.

The 27-year-old native of Arizona posted a video reaction on Instagram on Tuesday, August 6, detailing her experiences with cyberbullying and “threats of physical harm.”

“Unfortunately, things have really gotten out of hand lately. I sincerely hoped that this topic wouldn’t need to be revisited,” MyKayla stated. And although disagreeing with me on anything I’ve said or a point I’m trying to make is one thing, it’s quite another when that escalates into cyberbullying or something even worse. It is repulsive to see people applaud the bullying, which has resulted in threats of physical violence against our daughter, my husband, and me. I’m just pleading with it to end now for the benefit of my family because I’ve had enough.

The silver medallist emphasized that her remarks “about work ethic and what seems to be taking place with the rising generation” were the catalyst for this. MyKayla said she accepted responsibility for “poorly articulating the point” and clarified that she didn’t mean to offend the gymnasts on Team USA.

She went on, “I know these women are incredible, the best of the best, and nearly all of them are my former teammates, who I have had the pleasure of cheering on over the last few years.”

MyKayla thought back to the video apology she shared following criticism of her early remarks. She added that Simone, a 27-year-old, “responded and told me that she was proud of me,” which gave her the impression that they had made amends. She was shocked to learn, though, that the gold medalist had made reference to her remarks in her Instagram post.

“I am genuinely sorry if Simone thinks that I termed our crew incompetent and lazy, and if that’s how she really feels. But more than just devastated since that’s not how I feel or even what I said earlier, MyKayla added, “Simone’s most recent post and the ones that followed it sparked another wave of hateful comments, DMs, articles, and emails.” Death threats against me, my family, and even my agent are examples of hate speech. My friends and family shouldn’t have to be the collateral damage in this situation. Nothing has been done by them.

In closing, MyKayla asked Simone directly to assist in stopping the cyberbullying.

“Please ask those who follow you to cease. Many individuals are currently in need of your assistance, and you have been an amazing advocate for mental health awareness. I’m sure you never meant for us to be assaulted in the ways that we have,” she remarked. “We should support one another during your performance, the team’s performance, and the Olympics in general.”

Following Team USA’s victory in the team all-around final on July 30, Simone made news when she made reference to MyKayla’s remarks in her Instagram caption. Olympic champions who are lazy and lack talent, she wrote.

MyKayla first made her statements on a since-deleted YouTube video that was uploaded in the latter part of June, during the Olympic Trials. “Aside from Simone, I think there’s a lack of the previous depth and talent. Of course, a lot of girls don’t put in as much work. She said, “The girls simply lack a work ethic.” Many girls put in less effort at work. It’s challenging due to SafeSport as well. In some respects, it’s great that coaches are unable to criticize athletes, but in order to advance in gymnastics, one must be a little fiery and forceful.

MyKayla issued an apology, stating that her remarks had been misinterpreted and that she “wasn’t necessarily [talking] about the current team.”