Simone Biles and MyKayla Skinner: A History of Their Relationship
Simone Biles and MyKayla Skinner: A History of Their Rela...
By Jocelyn Alano September 09, 2024 11:47
While it may be an individual sport, the world of gymnastics requires just as much teamwork and camaraderie. That relationship has been contentious, supportive, and respectful for two of the biggest names in that middle ground, Simone Biles and MyKayla Skinner. This article explains their journey and how all paths take them to the other over time.
MyKayla Skinner & Simone Biles
Simone Biles and MyKayla Skinner are the two most famous American gymnasts. Biles, widely regarded as the most accomplished gymnast in history thanks to a series of record-shattering victories, is celebrated for her skills on floor and vault, including two show-stopping original moves. Skinner, who is as tough and determined as they come in the sport of gymnastics, has made a huge mark on this country's national team.
Biles' career has been defined by winning elite competitions, while Skinner's story is about returning from setbacks and re-establishing herself on the world stage. Both their tales provide a really interesting glimpse into the world of elite gymnastics.
Early Careers and Backgrounds
Simone Biles
Her natural ability shone, and she made it to the U.S. national team in 2012. Biles's career would skyrocket after she secured a World Championship all-around title in 2013, which would become an ongoing success, further establishing her as one of the most engaging personalities within the sport.
MyKayla Skinner
MyKayla Skinner hails from Gilbert, Arizona, and showed early promise. Skinner quickly established herself as one of the top national competitors in all four events, specializing in vault and floor. A persistent and driven individual, Skinner has faced numerous challenges along her way to bring with them the elite of gymnastics. She was one of the several alternates for Team USA at Rio 2016, but that hasn't stopped either himself from taking it all on in his stride.
Their Relationship at a Glance
As athletes, the dynamic between Biles and Skinner has ebbed and flowed through a spectrum of camaraderie (national team members) and adversaries come competition mode.
2016 Rio Olympics
A turning point occurred at the 2016 Olympics in Rio, where Skinner was named an alternate because they already had one "powerhouse," her words finalist from Utah. This decision was contentious then, demonstrating just how much competition there is on Team USA. Still, Skinner supported her teammates throughout the competition, including Biles, who became one of its biggest stars.
Tokyo 2020 Olympics
The Japanese gymnast and her Hungarian counterpart were a year later than planned due to COVID-19. Skinner first indicated she was going to retire and then got the call when Biles pulled out of multiple events because of mental health issues. Not only did Skinner rise to the occasion, but she also won a silver medal in the vault that served as her triumph and an anecdote about Biles' encouragement.
View of the Other/Support and Competition
The dynamic between Biles and Skinner is a bit both supportive and competitive.
Support
The two also supported each other in the most important moments, even though they were opponents when compared. Take her uplifting words towards Skinner at the Olympics in Tokyo as an example. According to reports, it was Biles who inspired Skinner not to squander what could be her final chance while securing the silver medal.
Rivalry
Their bond, though, has not always been rosy. Controversy over the last few months has served as a reminder of its competitive state. When Biles was on them, Skinner criticized the men's and women's teams in 2024. Biles subsequently answered on social media, and a public back and forth ensued, with more discussion of the pressures that elite athletes, particularly women, face.
Gymnastic Legacy
Simone Biles
Biles has made history in the sport of gymnastics. Her ground-breaking routines and world-record performances have pushed the boundaries of the sport, setting a benchmark for those who follow in her steady stream. Her work to normalize mental health has also opened up important discussions in sports about athletes' welfare.
MyKayla Skinner
What strikes me most about Skinner is her tenacity and ability to persevere. She is living proof of the path to your first medal. Skinner has since spoken out about the need for reform in gymnastics, and she pointed to more support of a positive athlete environment as one area where changes can be made.
Simone Biles and MyKayla Skinner represent the tricky nature of elite gymnastics. Their roads have been paved with camaraderie, but sometimes friction has also occurred; being together has made them better athletes and people.
Their story is a powerful reminder of the power of support and resilience in challenging circumstances. But as long as they continue to shape the discipline of gymnastics, their stories are important reminders that only a few at any one time will have what it takes and how much determination, not just flexible bodies, is needed for someone to become such a top-level athlete.
Upon reflection on Biles and Skinner's relationship, it strikes me as rather obvious that this potential athletic power couple would coalesce with the same intention to raise gymnastics further into its highest echelons so that they might inspire beyond their own legacies. Undoubtedly, their legacy will have a long-term impact on the sport.
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