Former Olympic gymnast MyKayla Skinner has embarked on a significant collaboration with XX-XY Athletics, an athletic brand committed to championing women’s sports. The partnership was notably announced by the brand’s founder, Jennifer Sey, through social media, highlighting Skinner as a distinguished athlete and silver medalist in vault from the 2021 Tokyo Olympics.
Skinner, who has previously competed alongside gymnastics superstar Simone Biles, has been outspoken about the challenges faced by female athletes. Her latest involvement with XX-XY aligns with a broader movement advocating for fairness in women’s athletic competitions, especially in light of ongoing discussions surrounding gender in sports.
The relationship between Skinner and Biles took a tumultuous turn in June 2024 during the selection process for the Paris Olympics. Skinner contributed to a viral YouTube video where she critically addressed the current U.S. women’s gymnastics landscape, insinuating a decline in talent and dedication among gymnasts, with Biles being the notable exception. Following Team USA’s triumph at the Paris Olympics, Biles responded sharply on Instagram, labeling Skinner’s remarks as misguided and celebrating the team’s success with a quote that suggested underlying talent and commitment issues.
The tension escalated when both gymnasts blocked each other on social media, with Skinner alleging that she encountered cyberbullying and threats directed at her family. The discord resurfaced in June 2025 when Biles controversially debated transgender participation in women’s sports, a topic that prompted Skinner to publicly support former NCAA swimmer Riley Gaines and label Biles as a bully during their concurrent careers.
In a revealing statement, Skinner expressed that she felt belittled and marginalized by Biles throughout their years as teammates. She voiced her commitment to support Gaines’ advocacy, while critiquing Biles for allegedly misusing her platform as a celebrated athlete.
On October 21, 2025, Sey celebrated Skinner’s newest venture with XX-XY Athletics, noting the athlete’s remarkable journey and her motivation to inspire future generations, particularly for her young daughter, Charlotte. Skinner now joins the brand under the “Gold Medal Collection” campaign, which features a diverse range of Olympic athletes.
Founded in March 2024, XX-XY Athletics is distinctive for its strong stance on preserving women’s sports and champions biological distinctions in athletics. The brand’s first ambassador was Gaines, who garnered national attention for her involvement in a high-profile tie with transgender swimmer Lia Thomas at the NCAA championships. Skinner joins a notable roster of female athletes representing the brand, including three-time Olympic gold medalist Nancy Hogshead, reinforcing their collective goals of powerful advocacy while promoting quality athletic gear.
XX-XY Athletics aims to challenge mainstream perceptions and influence cultural dialogues through its robust messaging and high-performance apparel, while Skinner’s partnership signifies an important step for female athletes looking to assert their presence and leadership in sports.