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With her dominance at the 2024 Olympics, Simone Biles became the most decorated gymnast of all time and won many gold medals. As Biles excelled in the gym and on the international scene, she came under intense scrutiny and made the decision to always defend her own interests.
The eleven-time Olympian’s most well-known clapbacks from the Paris Olympics are listed below:
The Skinner Shade of MyKayla
Before any of her fellow gymnasts had set foot on the mat in Paris, MyKayla Skinner, who partnered with Biles in the Tokyo Games in 2021, had already earned the fury of their peers.
Aside from Biles, Skinner expressed in her since-deleted July YouTube video that she thought “the talent and the depth [in gymnastics] just isn’t like what it used to be,” in reference to the gymnasts who made the 2024 Olympic squad. Of course, a lot of girls don’t put in as much work. Simply said, the girls lack a strong work ethic.”
A few weeks later, in an Instagram post celebrating their win, Biles, Suni Lee, Jordan Chiles, Jade Carey, and Hezly Rivera—all of whom competed alongside Skinner at the Tokyo Olympics—seemed to disparage Skinner.
“Olympic champions ❤️🥇🇺🇸, lack of talent, lazy,” Biles wrote alongside images of herself and the rest of Team USA sprinting across the gymnasium while waving the American flag.
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Biles Retaliates Against Hair Critics
Online haters chose to make Biles’ hair their business by criticizing her disheveled hairstyle during the Olympic Games.
Three gold and one silver medalist Biles posted on Instagram in July, “Gonna hold your hand when I say this.” “The next time you feel like making fun of a black girl’s hair. Simply put, don’t.”
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GOAT Things
After taking first place in the individual all-around competition in August, Biles sent a message to “the haters” by wearing a GOAT pendant with her gold medal.
“It’s a small tribute,” Biles said to media as the glittering jewelry with over 360 diamonds was unveiled. “A lot of people really adore it. I felt that having one manufactured would be extremely special because I’m constantly being called the GOAT [Greatest of All Time]. I love that even more because the people who detest it do.”
Biles denounces racism during the games for the second time
Donald Trump, the previous president, made contentious remarks in June over immigrants “taking Black jobs.” The comments quickly gained popularity on social media, where people widely criticized and meme-ed them. One user connected the remark to Biles’ significant victories in Paris in July.
“Simone Biles being the GOAT, winning Gold medals and dominating gymnastics is her black job,” they wrote.
Quote-tweeting the post, Biles responded, “I love my black job 🖤.”
Defending Her Spouse
Over the years, Biles has defended her husband Jonathan Owens on several occasions. She became frustrated that she couldn’t even allow Owens to wear her medals in the 2024 Olympics without people getting upset.
The strange thing is that I took pictures and placed my medal on each and every member of my family. Thus, never assume anything,” she stated in August’s TikTok video comments. As if all of you are incredibly miserable. Give us some space.”
Also Read – Is Simone Biles retiring? Here’s What She Said When Everyone Asked “What’s Next?”
“Let Us Savor This Moment We’ve Dedicated Our Entire Lives To”
Biles vented on social media about being harassed about her future plans following her four significant victories in Paris.
In August, she said via X, “You guys really gotta stop asking athletes what’s next after they win a medal at the Olympics.” “Let us soak up the moment we’ve worked our whole lives for.”
