In 2016, Skinner was named an alternate to the Olympic team despite finishing fourth all-around at Trials. She was also the alternate to the World Championships team in 2019. After a clutch performance at this year’s Olympic Trials—including a must-hit vault—Skinner earned one of the US’s two individual event specialists. Despite a clean showing during the qualifying round in Tokyo, she originally did not advance to the vault final due to two teammates, Biles and Jade Carey, placing ahead of her. However, since Biles decided to withdraw from the vault final on Friday, July 30, Skinner was awarded her spot. Here’s what to know about the new vault silver medalist MyKayla Skinner. You can watch the vault and uneven bars event finals on August 1 on NBC starting at 8 pm ET.
All About MyKayla Skinner
What is MyKayla Skinner’s age?
At age 24, Skinner is one of the oldest athletes on the US women’s gymnastics team. Her younger athletes have praised Skinner for her advice and sportsmanship. “She’s so friendly and caring, and makes sure you feel comfortable,” teammate Grace McCallum told the Deseret News. “She’s the mom of the group. She makes you feel safe.”
Where is MyKayla Skinner from?
Born and raised in Gilbert, Arizona, Skinner spent three years competing for the University of Utah. Over the course of her illustrious collegiate career, she won national titles on vault and floor exercise. She also set the NCAA record for competing an astonishing 161 consecutive routines without a fall. When she decided to return to elite competition, she and her husband, Jonas Harmer, moved to Arizona to train with her longtime coaches at Desert Lights Gymnastics.
What’s MyKayla Skinner’s height?
Known as a power gymnast whose specialties are vault and floor, it may come as a surprise that Skinner is only 5’1”.
Will MyKayla Skinner compete in the vault final?
Skinner finished the prelims ranked fourth in the world on vault behind teammates Simone Biles and Jade Carey. However, due to the two per country rule—which limits each country to only two athletes per apparatus final—she was not eligible to compete in the vault final. Skinner acknowledged the conclusion of her gymnastics career with an emotional post: “Heartbroken is an understatement, but I am proud of myself for getting here after everything I’ve been through,” she wrote on Instagram. On July 30, Biles decided to withdraw from the vault and bars finals in a rollercoaster turn of events, and Skinner would compete in the vault final. “Looks like I get to put a competition Leo on just one more time. Can’t wait to compete in vault finals. Doing this for us @simonebiles ❤️ It’s go time baby!” Skinner wrote on Instagram. “Today, after further consultation with medical staff, Simone Biles has decided to withdraw from the event finals for vault and the uneven bars. She will continue to be evaluated daily to determine whether to compete in the finals for floor exercise and balance beam,” a statement from USA Gymnastics read. “MyKayla Skinner, who had the fourth-highest score in vault during qualifications, will compete in vault finals for the U.S. alongside Jade Carey, who finished with the second-highest score. We remain in awe of Simone, who continues to handle this situation with courage and grace, and all of the athletes who have stepped up during these unexpected circumstances.”
Did MyKayla Skinner medal in the vault final?
Yes! Skinner was awarded the silver medal in the vault final. “I can’t believe this happened!” she said after. TODAY’s Hoda Kotb was there to celebrate with her, as well as her teammates in the stands.
Is MyKayla Skinner Mormon?
As a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Skinner has pointed to her faith as a guidepost throughout her gymnastics career. “I just stay true to my faith and believe whatever happens happens. I try to keep a positive mind every day,” she told the Deseret News.
Who is MyKayla Skinner’s husband?
Skinner met her now-husband, Jonas Harmer, through a mutual friend. Harmer, 24, studied business at Brigham Young University. According to LinkedIn, he’s a sales manager at Vivint Smart Home, and he also helps to run Skinner’s YouTube channel. After she won silver, he posted a loving tribute to her hard work. “MyKayla is living proof that you can achieve whatever you set your mind to,” he wrote on Instagram.
When did MyKayla Skinner get married?
Although Skinner and Harmer tied the knot in November 2019 after a month-long engagement, the couple noted that marriage plans had already been in the works. Having dated for two years, the couple began planning their wedding while Skinner was in Germany for the 2019 World Championships. Harmer proposed soon after her return, with the couple deciding it was best to get married before the 2020 Tokyo Games.
Did MyKayla Skinner have COVID?
After reeling from the Olympic postponement, Skinner contracted COVID-19. After two weeks of dealing with symptoms, she returned to training, only to come down with a bout of pneumonia that landed her in the hospital in January 2021. Combined with a nagging bone spur in her foot, Skinner feared her Olympic hopes might be dashed: “I didn’t know how my body was going to react or if my endurance would go back to normal,” she told Inside Gymnastics.
What did MyKayla Skinner’s husband say on Instagram?
Skinner’s husband, Jonas Harmer, isn’t afraid to be outspoken—and sometimes controversial—in his support of his wife. After Biles’ shocking withdrawal during the team final for mental health reasons, Harmer aired his opinions on his Instagram story: “Funny how when you don’t take the team that gives you the best chance of winning gold…you don’t win gold.” His post was about US team coordinator Tom Forster’s comments after Olympic Trials, where Forster stated why he did not select the team with the highest scoring potential: “We’re so, so fortunate that our athletes are so strong that I don’t think it’s going to come down to tenths of a point in Tokyo.” The highest-scoring team would have included Skinner.
Are MyKayla Skinner and Simone Biles friends?
Ever since Skinner returned to elite competition in 2019, her friendship with Simone Biles has only grown closer. The duo has joked about being “Olympic Grandmas” compared to their teenage teammates, and footage from Skinner’s YouTube channel shows them goofing around in their early days in Tokyo. After Skinner’s performance in prelims, Biles posted, “You’re amazing, Ms. Olympian!”
What is MyKayla Skinner doing after the Olympics?
After qualifying to the Olympics, Skinner decided to turn professional, thus giving up her final year of collegiate eligibility with the University of Utah gymnastics team. She’ll be participating in Athleta’s Gold Over America Tour with Olympic teammates Simone Biles and Jordan Chiles. Skinner and her husband plan to return to Utah, where she looks forward to finishing her degree and starting a family. She also runs a YouTube channel of over 100K subscribers, where she’s certain to keep fans posted on her post-Olympic life. Next, test your Olympics knowledge with these 125 trivia questions and answers!
