“I Ain’t No Little Weak Gymnast”: Mark Robinson Faces Backlash Over Attack on Simone Biles
Photograph: Robert Willett/AP
Mark Robinson, an avowed MAGA supporter, and North Carolina gubernatorial candidate is facing severe criticism on social media after a video resurfaced of him disparaging beloved Olympian gymnast Simone Biles.
During a 2021 campaign event, Robinson made inflammatory remarks, saying, “I ain’t no little weak gymnast that quits when the going gets tough. My generation’s cut from a different cloth.” At the time, Biles was on a mental health break, a decision that was widely respected and supported by the public.
Robinson continued his tirade against Biles, the most decorated gymnast in Olympic history, stating, “I’m not like someone out there flipping around on TV on some monkey bars out there trying to get a medal for myself. I’m doing this for a bigger cause.” These comments were made when Biles was taking a necessary mental health break, and have resurfaced now that Biles has led the U.S. team to a gold medal in Paris this year, adding to her impressive collection of Olympic accolades.
The video of Robinson’s remarks began trending shortly after Biles earned her eighth Olympic medal, sparking widespread outrage on social media. Commenters quickly came to Biles’ defense, criticizing Robinson for his derogatory comments.
“I’m not going to say weird. I would say vile and lacking in any integrity,” wrote Twitter user @oaktreedance. “Were people like Robinson and other MAGAs this toxic and hateful before Trump?”
“Need to see him do one (1) sit-up before I hear his opinion on any athlete,” quipped @Steven_M59, mocking Robinson’s criticism of the accomplished gymnast.
“Can you imagine attacking an American hero like Simone Biles when you couldn’t even dream of doing a fraction of what she’s capable of?” added @RussMurphNY. “What is wrong with these [clown emoji].”
Another user, @EricSnyder, expressed broader concerns about the MAGA movement, stating, “Concerned that most of MAGA just doesn’t like anything about our country other than their messiah. Imagine insulting arguably the greatest champion in our country’s history. Like straight-up nonsense, loser behavior and views.”
Robinson’s comments have not only reignited discussions about the importance of mental health and respect for athletes but have also highlighted the often toxic and divisive rhetoric present in contemporary political discourse. As Robinson faces increasing backlash, the incident serves as a reminder of the broader cultural and political conflicts playing out in the public sphere.
