Simone Biles and MyKayla Skinner dubbed themselves the ‘OGs’ of the United States women’s gymnastics team. OGs might not stand for what you think it does, though.
“Olympic grandmas,” Biles joked on Instagram.
Biles and Skinner, 24, are the clear veterans of the United States women’s gymnastics squad in Tokyo, Japan this summer.
Unfortunately, Skinner’s Summer Games have already come to an end. Skinner did not qualify for any of the final events in the individual competition this weekend. She is not a member of the team competition, so her Olympics have wrapped up pretty quickly.
Skinner took to social media this weekend to express her thoughts on the disappointing result.
“Heart broken,” she wrote. “But feeling sooo humbled and blessed for the amazing performance I had tonight! You have all brought me to tears thanks for being my biggest cheerleaders! Love u all.”
Heart broken💔 but feeling sooo humbled and blessed for the amazing performance I had tonight! You have all brought me to tears thanks for being my biggest cheerleaders! Love u all😘 xoxo myk
— MyKayla Skinner (Harmer) (@mykaylaskinner) July 25, 2021
The top 24 gymnasts have advanced to the final rounds of the individual competition. Unfortunately, there is a two gymnast per country rule. So, Skinner, despite finishing 10th overall, missed out on the final because she finished behind Simone Biles and Jade Carey.
so incredibly proud of this girl right here 🤍
thanks for always keeping gym light hearted and fun! love you! you’re amazing ms olympian 🤩 @mykaylaskinner pic.twitter.com/xSd3PAJCNn— Simone Biles (@Simone_Biles) July 25, 2021
ESPN.com outlined how the system needs to change:
First, there is the hated two-per-country rule. Skinner, 24, had the fourth-highest score of the day — in the world — on vault, yet she was the odd woman out. Viktoria Listunova, the 2021 European all-around champion, fell victim to the same outdated policy just hours earlier, barring her from the all-around final. It’s fair to say the rule is widely despised — and has a long history of disqualifying some of the top gymnasts in the sport.
Next, there was a convoluted system of individual qualifiers, and a U.S. selection committee that bafflingly chose two gymnasts who would directly compete with each other for the same medals.
At 24 years of age, Skinner will likely not get another chance at the Olympics. Hopefully the rules can change for the next generation of gymnasts.
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