Controversial sports commentator Jason Whitlock has sparked outrage after branding Simone Biles a ‘borderline midget’ in an offensive rant on his latest podcast.
Whitlock, who is renowned for sharing divisive opinions, also rubbished claims that the USA gymnastics legend should be considered an all-time great athlete despite her record-breaking success at this summer’s Olympic Games.
Biles became the most decorated American gymnast in history after sweeping up three gold medals and a silver in Paris, taking her overall tally at the Olympics to 11.
Though despite her breathtaking performances in the team, all-around and vault events, Whitlock does not believe she is up there with the GOATs.
On the latest episode of his ‘Fearless’ show, the outspoken podcast host told boxing reporter Steve Kim that most Olympics fans ‘don’t even understand gymnastics’ and that Biles should not be regarded as a great for that very reason.
Jason Whitlock (left) has sparked outrage after branding Simone Biles a ‘borderline midget’ in an offensive rant
He first pulled up a photo of the 27-year-old on influencer Alex Cooper’s Call Her Daddy podcast and said: ‘Simone Biles’ feet don’t touch the floor. That’s a borderline midget.
‘And we’re doing all this, “Oh my god she’s the greatest of all time, she’s the greatest athlete of all time.”
‘Most of us don’t even understand gymnastics, we don’t know how it’s scored, we don’t know what’s good or bad. But we all pretend every four years like, “Oh my god, what an incredible athlete! She’s the greatest, she’s the Jesse Owens [of gymnastics], she’s the Serena Williams, she’s the Michael Jordan.”‘
Kim, however, fired back at Whitlock by arguing that gymnasts should definitely be in the conversation when all-time great athletes are discussed.
‘When you take a look at every list that says greatest athletes in the world, to me gymnasts and decathletes are right up there,’ he replied.
Whitlock mocked Biles over her size after pulling up a photo of her on Alex Cooper’s Call Her Daddy podcast
He also rubbished claims that she’s an all-time great despite her record-breaking success at this summer’s Olympic Games
‘They don’t play major sports that we care about, but the things that they can do with their bodies, catapulting themselves in the air and flipping, and their high-twitch.
‘I get it, she’s not as big as [basketball icon] Kevin Garnett. But generally to do that stuff, less is more.’
Whitlock then cruelly responded: ‘She’s not as big as Kevin Garnett’s thigh.’
The conservative columnist has received a huge backlash for mocking Biles over her height, with fans ripping into him after he released a clip of his rant on social media.
One sarcastically wrote: ‘Wow! You’re hating on Simone Bikes for being short?! You are a class act, Whitlock. I want to see you hit that vault.’
Another suggested he is reading from a script on the podcast by saying: ‘If you had even a shred of self awareness or self respect, you would have declined to do this when they wrote it for you.
‘But they can make you attack Simone Biles because they know you have no shame, no options, and no one who cares enough about you to tell you it’s bad.’
Fans took issue with Whitlock’s comments about Biles, with one branding him ‘jealous’
A third user pointed out: ‘She is the most decorated gymnast ever. That qualifies her as the Goat, does it not? With 11 Olympic medals and 32 world medals.’
A fourth fumed: ‘You are a certified idiot and what have you done that’s worthy of remembering? Jealous because she commands an audience, she has fans, she is talented even as a petite woman. What’s your excuse?’
While one simply joked: ‘Let’s see you do what she does Jason. Get out on that balance beam.’
