In wake of a massive controversy that rocked USA Gymnastics for a year, the organization has turned to a former Republican congresswoman who already has some explaining to do.
Olympic champion Simone Biles today criticized the interim USA Gymnastics CEO Mary Bono over now deleted anti-Nike tweet, which showed Bono crossing out the “Nike” symbol on her shoe with marker.
“Mouth drop,” Biles, one of the gymnastics program’s biggest stars, tweeted in response to Bono’s now-deleted photo. “Don’t worry, it’s not like we needed a smarter USA gymnastics president or any sponsors or anything.”
*mouth drop*
don’t worry, it’s not like we needed a smarter usa gymnastics president or any sponsors or anything https://t.co/cYQizcjywn
— Simone Biles (@Simone_Biles) October 13, 2018
Bono was appointed to lead USA Gymnastics yesterday, replacing Kerry Perry, who resigned in September after nine months in the post.
In response to Biles, Bono tweeted today that she regrets the anti-Nike post.
“I regret the post and respect everyone’s views & fundamental right to express them,” wrote Bono, a former GOP congresswoman. “This doesn’t reflect how I will approach my position [at USA Gymnastics] I will do everything I can to help build, w/ the community, an open, safe & positive environment.”
I regret the post and respect everyone’s views & fundamental right to express them. This doesn’t reflect how I will approach my position @USAGym I will do everything I can to help build, w/ the community, an open, safe & positive environment.
— Mary Bono (@MaryBonoUSA) October 14, 2018
Bono’s original tweet came weeks after Nike chose Colin Kaepernick as the face of its new ad campaign. Kaepernick was the NFL player who popularized kneeling as a form of protest during the national anthem, setting off years of demonstrations by players against police brutality and racial inequality.
Nike ad featuring Colin Kaepernick.
After Nike announced Kaepernick’s involvement, critics across the country took to social media to burn or destroy their Nike gear.
President Trump, who has ridiculed Kaepernick for over a year, has been fairly muted on Nike because it’s his largest tenant in New York.
Nike’s sales have increased since the Kaepernick controversy began.
USA Gymnastics has been embroiled in a tide of controversy ever since hundreds of women began coming forward with allegations that former team doctor Larry Nassar sexually abused them as children. Biles was one of the women who went public with the accusation.
Nassar was sentenced to 40 to 125 years in prison for sexual abuse.