Standing up for real talent is what Nick Saban’s daughter, Kristen, does. So, as Team USA’s women’s gymnastics team made it to the team finals at the Olympics once again, she and the rest of the US rallied behind the squad for two reasons: one, it was their redemption tour after the events of Tokyo 2021. And two, their redemption would send a message to one particular hater. And a message is what Simone Biles sent, one that Kristen Saban was all for.

With a score of 171.296 after four rotations, Team USA won gold over Italy by a margin of 5.802 points (which is massive in gymnastics). Back in Tokyo, where Simone Biles withdrew from the team finals due to the ‘twisties,’ the American squad finished second behind the ROC by 3.432 points.

The ‘twisties’ is a mental block that makes gymnasts lose spatial awareness, forcing Biles to take a break from gymnastics. But when she returned last year, she returned with a vengeance. And her teammates had the same fire to reassert Team USA’s domination in women’s gymnastics. But a certain MyKayla Skinner didn’t think so.

Following the Team USA Olympic Trials last month, there were four returning gymnasts from the Tokyo squad – Biles, Jordan Chiles, Jade Carey, and reigning Olympic all-around champion Sunisa Lee.

Joining them was 16-year-old Hezly Rivera, courtesy of her remarkable showing at the trials. Looking at the team, former gymnast and 2016 Olympic silver medalist MyKayla Skinner said, “Besides Simone, I feel like the talent and the depth just isn’t what it used to be. I mean, obviously, a lot of girls don’t work as hard. The girls just don’t have the work ethic.”

This, quite understandably, didn’t sit well with anyone in the gymnastics community. So, as Team USA topped their subdivision in the qualification round in Paris on Sunday and made their way to the team finals on Tuesday, they displayed just how good their work ethic was.

How else could they have won by almost 6 points? Simone Biles posted a carousel of pictures from Team USA’s gold medal celebrations on Instagram, captioned, “lack of talent, lazy, olympic champions❤️🥇🇺🇸,” taking a dig at Skinner’s words from July 6. How did Kristen Saban react, you ask?

via Reuters

ESPN shared a picture of Simone Biles biting her gold medal with the aforementioned caption, writing, “Simone Biles had a message to the haters after Team USA won gold.” 

Kristen Saban shared the post on her Instagram story with the song, That’s My Girl by Fifth Harmony, whose lyrics are about trial and triumph, women’s empowerment, and taking pride in your accomplishments. This song was an interesting choice by Saban, and while she may not have meant to do it, this doubled down on her hate for Skinner’s words.

Right before the Rio Olympics, That’s My Girl was used as a hype song for the gymnastics team, whose video featured Biles, Gabby Douglas, and Aly Raisman, to name a few. Notably, MyKayla Skinner was an alternate on that team.

So, this song choice not only showed Kristen’s support for Biles but also pointed another (conscious or unconscious) finger at Skinner. That said, as Saban showed her love for Team USA in her story, many commented on Biles’ post directly, including her husband, Jonathan Owens.

The Chicago Bears granted their safety some time off from training camp to let him travel to Paris to support his wife. And on Tuesday, he was at Bercy Arena with Simone Biles’ parents, watching on as she made history.

With another gold medal in the bag, she became the most decorated American gymnast at the Olympics (eight medals in three Games). On her post, Owens commented, “Gold Medalist 🥇🔥,” subsequently throwing shade at Skinner, writing, “F AROUND AND FIND OUT.” 

Coming back to Kristen Saban and her love for the Olympics and Team USA, she flooded a rugby player with praise and flattery!

Kristen Saban’s hype for Ilona Maher ahead of her Olympic triumph

It’s very hard to keep eyes away from Maher, who is lighting up this year’s Olympic Games with her rugby seven skills. On July 30, the athlete scored tries in all three group games and bagged Team USA’s first-ever medal in the event – a bronze. Maher led the team to a dramatic 14-12 win against Australia in the bronze medal match following Team USA’s semifinal loss to New Zealand earlier in the day.

While this happened on Tuesday, Kristen Saban showed her lover for Maher long before that, pinning her high hopes on her. On July 27, coach Saban’s daughter shared the rugby star’s reel on her story in which Maher was perfecting different walks.

The reel’s caption read, “Practing my run out before gametime tomorrow.” Kristen added a special touch and wrote, “No, because why is @ilonamaher my new favorite person on the internet.”

All these are reminders of how Kristen’s heart beats for every sport, not just the one she has familial ties with. As much as Alabama quarterback Jalen Milroe’s cool gift swap brings her joy, she gets equally thrilled at Team USA’s raging success in the 2024 Paris Olympics.