Brianna Keilar on CNN discussing Piers Morgan and Simone Biles.
Brianna Keilar on CNN discussing Piers Morgan and Simone Biles.
Screenshot/CNN
  • A CNN host is the latest voice to slam British TV personality Piers Morgan for his criticism of Simone Biles.
  • Brianna Keilar took issue with Morgan's claim that Biles used her mental health as an excuse for a bad performance.
  • Biles pulled out of the team and individual all-around competitions at Tokyo, citing her mental health.
  • Visit Insider's homepage for more stories.

A CNN host has roasted British journalist Piers Morgan for his comments attacking Simone Biles following her withdrawal from two events at the Tokyo Olympics.

The 24-year-old gymnast, who has won four Olympic golds to date, withdrew from the all-around final and the individual all-around at the Tokyo to focus on her mental health.

Soon afterwards, Morgan – who is known for his rabble rousing and often deliberately inflammatory words – wrote that Biles had "let down your team-mates, your fans and your country."

As Insider reported Wednesday, the words, written in his column for the Daily Mail newspaper, immediately drew backlash online, with users accusing him of hypocrisy after a now-famous incident where he stormed off set during his TV morning show Good Morning Britain.

After the online reaction to both the column and Morgan's social media, CNN anchor Brianna Keilar added her voice to the fray, mocking the fact that Morgan has never competed in high level sport.

Speaking on CNN's "New Day" show, Keilar said that Morgan's "only athletic claim to fame is that he ran off the set of his former TV show simply because another host questioned his criticism of Meghan Markle."

She then read out in full a tweet Morgan sent about Biles:

Keilar then said: "Yeah, maybe a role model like a 24-year-old who slays competition after competition and mentors the younger members of her team.

"Who between the last Olympics and this one, came out as one of the more than 150 athletes who said publicly that they were sexually assaulted by former team doctor Larry Nassar, right under the nose of USA gymnastics."

Keilar added that those criticizing Biles aren't just criticizing her, but are also "sending a message to people who are struggling, that if they're really tough, they won't prioritize their mental health."

You can see the full clip of Keilar's comments on Morgan below:

Morgan has a history of attacking those struggling with mental health issues, and earlier this year took aim at Meghan Markle after her explosive interview with Oprah Winfrey.

When questioned about his criticism of the duchess, Morgan walked off the set of his own show.

Responding to Keilar on Twitter, Morgan said she should: "Ask your Green Beret husband what he thinks of people who quit on their teammates in the heat of battle."

Read the original article on Insider