In a surprising turn of events at the Paris 2024 Olympics, Mykayla Skinner has sparked controversy by calling for changes to gymnastics rules following Simone Biles’ historic fourth Olympic all-around gold medal. Despite Biles’ widely celebrated victory, Skinner voiced her concerns over the current scoring system and its perceived shortcomings.

Biles, often regarded as the greatest gymnast of all time, secured her fourth all-around title with a performance that left fans and judges in awe. Her routine, filled with her signature high-difficulty elements and near-flawless execution, earned her top scores across the board. However, Skinner, who competed alongside Biles in Team USA, had a different perspective.

“There is simply nothing to see, Simone Biles did not have a great performance,” Skinner stated in a post-event interview. Her remarks have ignited a debate within the gymnastics community about the transparency and fairness of the scoring system. Skinner’s main contention lies in the difficulty score, which she believes disproportionately favors gymnasts like Biles who perform exceptionally challenging skills.

Skinner argued that the current rules do not adequately reward consistency and execution for all competitors. “We need a system that values precision and clean performances as much as difficulty,” she said. “It’s not just about doing the hardest tricks; it’s about doing them well and safely.”

Her comments have received mixed reactions. Supporters of Biles argue that her unparalleled skill level and the risks she takes justify her high scores. Critics, however, agree with Skinner, suggesting that the sport needs to evolve to ensure a more balanced evaluation of all aspects of a routine.

The International Gymnastics Federation (FIG) has yet to respond officially to Skinner’s statements, but the issue is likely to be a topic of discussion in the coming months. As the gymnastics world continues to celebrate Biles’ achievements, Skinner’s call for change highlights the ongoing debate about how best to judge the sport’s elite athletes.

This controversy underscores the complexity of gymnastics scoring and the challenges of ensuring fairness in a sport where innovation and execution are equally crucial. As discussions unfold, the gymnastics community will be watching closely to see if any changes are implemented ahead of future competitions.