The USA gymnastics is in the headlines for all the wrong reasons once again. It’s the allegations against Iowa Athletics women’s gymnastics program head coach Larissa Libby that have added to the ever-lasting concerns over the integrity of the sport. Well, this is not the first time when the gymnastics community was taken aback by the distasteful allegations against an official that left everyone shocked.

Larry Nassar is an infamous name in the domain, who was accused of mol**ing female gymnasts, was later found guilty, and was sentenced to 175 years in prison. Sadly, these are not the only instances when USA gymnastics came under the radar of sports pundits due to the objectionable controversies that formed dark clouds around the sport. Let’s delve deeper and explore the most disgraceful gymnastics controversies over the years.

Larry Nassar was formerly employed as a physiatrist at USA Gymnastics and the Károlyi Ranch, and he used to treat many female athletes. But later in the time, several complaints were lodged against him for s**ally abusing his patients, among which most of the victims were minor girls. In 2017, he pleaded guilty to the latter charges and was sentenced to 175 years in jail. Renowned names like Simone Biles, Aly Raisman, Gabby Douglas, and several others had testified against him at the time. This was reported to be the biggest sex a**se scandal in sports history, and it remains a blemish on the sport to date.

As per the reports from The Daily Iowan, the staff and team members of Iowa Athletics have raised their concerns against coach Libby regarding the environment within the program. The facility said in its statement that efforts are being made to ensure that it provides the student athletes with a safer and more courteous atmosphere. Phil Catanzano, the co-founder of the Education and Sports Law Group, has been given the responsibility to undertake the review. However, the final report is yet to be submitted, as the case is still under investigation.

When Simone Biles faced the bitter pill of improper scoring

In 2021, Biles had already established herself as one of the most decorated sporting icons in history, having won four Olympic golds and 19 world championships at the time. She was pulling maneuvers that even her male counterparts were unable to replicate, but a conflict started to surface that the Ohio native was not being accurately assessed by the judges, and her performances and her exceptional routines were undervalued. It was reported that she was not credited efficiently for the moves that were super difficult to perform, and hence, it all started.

MyKayla Skinner is a renowned name in USA gymnastics, but in 2021, when Skinner fixed her berth on the US team for the Olympics, her selection was met with mixed reactions. Some of the fans appreciated her, while most of them questioned her selection and stated that she shouldn’t be given priority over her compatriots, like Riley McCusker and Kara Eaker. During the Olympics as well, her fans weren’t happy with her being snubbed from the team competition in spite of Skinner’s high level of difficulty.

Despite the steps being taken to provide the gymnasts with the best facilities, the on-ground results seem disappointing. Jennifer Sey, a former USA gymnastics athlete, made claims that mental harassment is an everyday thing for the athletes, and they are constantly being abused by their coaches and other officials. “They’re stretched to the point of injury; they’re denied food; they’re fat-shamed. The child is really just beaten down. And this culture is so deeply embedded that it’s almost invisible,” was the statement she gave to Vox.com in 2021.

On March 14th, the gymnastics world celebrates Simone Biles Day. Honoring the incomparable GOAT, the internet flooded with love for her as she marked her 27th year around the sun. In a heartwarming moment, shortly after Simone’s baby daughter twin shared a touching message, her closest friend Jordan Chiles melted the gymternet with a sweet tribute.

Jordan Chiles melts hearts with an endearing message to Simone Biles

Taking to her Instagram stories, Jordan Chiles shared a beautiful collage capturing the journey of herself and Simone Biles through the years. With deep affection, she penned in the caption, “Everyone, it’s her birthday!!! Happy birthday to my ride or die, my other half, my best friend, my partner in crime, and my big sis!! Mo, I love you so much and wouldn’t change the world for anything!!!”  Simone Biles and Jordan Chiles share a deep and enduring friendship that has blossomed over the years. Their bond began when Chiles faced a setback in her gymnastics career in 2018, prompting Biles to extend a helping hand.

Biles invited Chiles to train with her and her coaches at the World Champions Center in Texas, where Chiles found renewed passion for the sport. Since then, their friendship has only grown stronger. They have supported each other through triumphs and challenges, both on and off the gymnastics floor. Speaking of how proud she is of Jordan, Simone once told ESPN, “It’s been exciting to watch her grow in and out of the gym. I see her pushing herself every day, which is inspiring.” As we gush about Jordan’s wish, let us also see how Simone Biles’ “Baby Daughter Twin” wished her a happy birthday.

Zoe Miller, Simone Biles’ fellow WCC training partner and whom she calls her “lil baby daughter, twin” sent her an adorable birthday wish via her Instagram story. In a collage of seven images, Miller expressed her heartfelt message, calling Biles her “best freaking friend” and the “best big sis ever.” She conveyed her gratitude for their relationship and wished her “big sister, mom twin” Simone Biles, a happy birthday, adding a playful note about eating hot dogs.

The collage included various snapshots capturing moments of their friendship, from gymnastics competitions to beach vacations, showcasing the depth of their bond. As Simone Biles celebrates another year, fans eagerly anticipate the unfolding chapters of the journey of the most decorated gymnast in history.

The United States has been a pioneer in presenting the world with some of the most exceptional gymnasts who have kept the ‘mat’ running for years. With names like Simone Biles leading the way, athletes such as MyKayla Skinner have also etched their names in the history books for their groundbreaking routines. Skinner has now become one of the most influential gymnastics figures out there, but her story of making it to the Olympic podium, which was almost on the horns of a dilemma, is one of a kind.

It was her compatriot and the queen of gymnastics, Simone Biles, who helped her in the most unexpected way possible to win her first Olympic medal. Years have passed since the incident, and the Arizona-based gymnast revisited the old happy memories and shared some inside secrets about the event.

The 27-year-old former artistic gymnast uncovered her story in an interview with Inside Gymnastics Magazine on Sunday. She had a tumultuous run during the Tokyo Olympics qualifications when she finished fourth on vault and could not make it to the finals due to the two gymnasts per nation rule. Skinner was heartbroken, as she thought her career was over and was ready to board the flight back home as well.

To the surprise of Skinner and the whole gymnastics community, Simone Biles decided to take her name back from the vault final, which made MyKayla participate in the latter category. “Doing this for us. It’s go time, baby!” she posted for Biles on social media later.

On D-Day, Skinner came to the vault finals firing on all cylinders, as she had nothing to lose and lit the arena on fire with her spellbinding routines. After the finals were done and dusted, the Gilbert native became an overnight sensation after securing a silver in the finals, and her lifelong dream of becoming an Olympic medalist came to life in a flash. Furthermore, her qualification for the Tokyo Olympics is also a tale that needs every fan’s attention.

How she made it to the event

The gymnast was not having the best time after missing out on the Rio Olympics and two world championship events, and she came back to elite professional endeavors after her senior year at Utah. To add more to her hardships, the Olympics were also delayed due to the pandemic, and she herself was dealing with some health conditions at the time. However, she gave it all during the qualifications and secured a spot on the USA team.

The American prodigy placed fifth in the St. Louis organized Olympic trials, which earned her a spot on the team alongside her counterpart, Jade Carey. However, her dream of making it to the podium met with an upsetting end following her performance in individual medals and rotation with the team in qualifications. But she remained calm and focused until the end, and her story of winning the medal is something that needs to go out there.

Around the globe, anticipation is mounting, with less than five months remaining until the 2024 Paris Olympics. In the gymnastics world, fans are eagerly awaiting the spectacular showdowns from the world’s finest gymnasts on the pinnacle stage. Big names are set to dominate the floor, but the biggest among them is Simone Biles, the most decorated gymnast in history.

Her return to the Olympic stage, following the tumultuous Tokyo Olympics in 2021, has fans ecstatic to see her proudly waving the American flag once again. And amidst the throngs of admirers stands the “Unofficial Den Mother of USA Gymnastics.”

In an Instagram post by The Tonight Show starring Jimmy Fallon, Hoda Kotb and Savannah Guthrie from the Today Show made a guest appearance. Renowned for their camaraderie and iconic showbiz entertainment perspectives, the hosts were captivated as Jimmy Fallon queried them about their plans for the upcoming 2024 Paris Olympics.

Overflowing with excitement, Hoda Kotb exclaimed, “Ya’ll, we are going to dominate gymnastics,” getting wild cheers from the crowd. Jimmy Fallon chimed in, highlighting Simone Biles’ return, further igniting the excitement of both the ladies and the audience. Amidst the thrilled atmosphere, Hoda Kotb shared, “This is going to be Simone’s chapter. Like, I feel like she’s going to be incredible.”

Notably, in the past, Simone Biles had hinted at her Olympic aspirations in a 2023 conversation with Hoda, sharing, “That’s the path I would love to go,” making Hoda’s presence as their biggest cheerleader all the more heartwarming. As we reflect on this moment, let us find out why Hoda was affectionately dubbed the “unofficial den mother of USA Gymnastics.”

Savannah Guthrie narrated on the Tonight Show how Hoda Kotb and she both went to Tokyo and Beijing to report on the Olympics during the COVID-19 pandemic. Hoda loves the USA gymnastics team, and Savannah Guthrie shared, “Hoda is like the unofficial den mother of USA Gymnastics.” This even got the endearing host in trouble as the events were held amidst the pandemic, preventing athletes’ parents and family members from attending.

Despite the challenges, Hoda was moved to offer hugs to the gymnasts who couldn’t be with their families. However, the Japanese organizers, who were hosting the Olympics, didn’t like that idea. Savannah Guthrie laughingly imitated them, saying, “Tell that woman to stop hugging the athletes.”

With the Paris Olympics scheduled from July 27 to August 5, 2024, excitement grows to see Simone Biles grace the pinnacle stage once more. And as fans await her return, they also hope to see the spirited two hosts, Hoda Kotb and Savannah Guthrie, cheering on the athletes with enthusiasm.

Simone Biles’ gymnastics debut in 2024 is one of the most anticipated moments ahead of the Paris Olympics. The phenom dominated 2023, becoming the most decorated gymnast, and fans can’t wait to see what she has in store this year.

However, as we await this blazing moment, which will probably happen at the 2024 US Classic, Simone’s doppelgänger sister, Adria Biles, gracefully stepped into the gymnastics hype and garb, showing off the family’s inherent talent for the sport.

“I always say that the men are the catch [in a relationship].” Until Jonathan Owens said this last year, his relationship with Simone Biles was the stuff of romance movies in the eyes of the gymnast’s fans. They met in 2020 through a dating app called Raya, and with time, their love grew. In 2023, they tied the knot. So, after the Green Bay Packers safety made this comment on The Pivot podcast, fans’ perception of him hasn’t been the best. But considering how lovely Biles and Owens’ marriage is, they seemed to have put it in the past. Until now.

The St. Louis native recently appeared on The Corner Suite Pod podcast and was asked to clear the air about “the catch” controversy. In the conversation posted on the podcast’s Instagram handle, Owens said, “The comment that I made was just jokingly, but people took it so seriously.” Making his case, the NFL star added how he met Biles during the COVID-19 pandemic, and they never used to go anywhere but to each other’s houses. Explaining how Simone Biles never bragged about herself, he revealed he didn’t realize the “magnitude of her success.” 

This conversation led to the Packers safety accusing people of bringing up his tweets from 2012. During their appearance on The Pivot podcast, Owens described coming across Biles’ profile on Raya. Claiming that he didn’t know the gymnast back then – and saying he “never really paid attention to gymnastics” – didn’t sit well with Biles’ fans.

Some dug-up posts from 2012 where Owens commended Gabby Douglas for her performance, even though he said he “didn’t have NBC.” He further shed light on the criticism he faced for not knowing about the 2016 Olympics, where Biles secured four back-to-back Olympic golds in all four events (team events, all-around, floor exercises, and vault).

The 28-year-old also explained his lack of awareness: his busy NFL schedule of “6 a.m. to 11 p.m.” Despite Owens making his case, fans have once more voiced their disapproval.

Simone Biles’ fans question Owens’ actions to “relive” a forgotten controversy

As soon as the video caught the attention of Simone Biles fans, they took no time and started putting Jonathan Owens on the spot. In response to his explanation of the brutal morning-to-night football schedule, a fan ensured they made it clear that “t Owen’s explanation was nothing but an excuse. “No. I do understand the schedule. I’m a hardcore Packers fan, too. Your comment was still out of pocket. Just say you’re sorry,” they wrote.

While Biles fans seemed to have put the whole controversy to rest, one Instagram user highlighted how they think Owens hasn’t moved on yet. Calling him out for his clarification, they penned, “The explanation is subpar. Just move on from this topic and keep showing your love for your wife.” Another fan echoed this sentiment, writing, “He really needs to stop talking, geez.”

The last time he was on a podcast, the controversy started. And now, with a podcast appearance, the same controversy has restarted. Considering this, a user – who had left this in the past – wrote, “Mr. Biles, respectfully sir, stay off podcasts. We forgot all about this.” Enraged fans continued with their critical feedback, writing, “Chilllleee, does he really want to relive this?”

Seeing as Simone Biles was right alongside him when he made “the catch” comment, among other things, another fan opined, “WHEWWW, Mrs. Biles probably had a few choice words for him now he’s on an “I’m Sorry” tour.” The question to Owens was posed to “clear the air.” However, according to a fan, “This didn’t clear the air, this just made us relive it again.”

Amid all the backlash, a few understood Jonathan Owens as well. One of them empathized, “We get it! Those that been in that life understand how cut off from reality you are once camp starts.” Another one stated, “He owes no explanations to anyone.” 

Simone Biles has earned her GOAT status in the world of gymnastics, becoming the most decorated gymnast. Aside from her incredible dominance in the sport, she has also become a global icon, representing numerous brands given her mega social influence. In April 2021, Biles forged a partnership with the athleisure brand Athleta, marking a pivotal moment in her career. Like Biles in gymnastics, Katie Ledecky has established herself as the most decorated female swimmer of all time.

She boasts an impressive array of swimming accolades, including 21 World Championship gold medals, seven Olympic gold medals, and 16 individual gold medals at the World Aquatics Championships. With both Biles and Ledecky aiming to represent the American flag at the 2024 Paris Olympics, their worlds recently intersected as Ledecky joined the Athleta family.