Introduction to the Controversy
Simone Biles attends Netflix’s “Simone Biles Rising” FYC event at Hollywood Athletic Club on June 02, 2025 in Hollywood, California. (Photo by Rodin Eckenroth/Getty Images)
Olympic medalist gymnast Simone Biles is apologizing for comments she made in a social media spat with OutKick host Riley Gaines regarding transgender athletes competing in women’s sports.
What they’re saying:
“I’ve always believed competitive equity & inclusivity are both essential in sport,” Biles posted on X. “The current system doesn’t adequately balance these important principles, which often leads to frustration and heated exchanges, and it didn’t help for me to get personal with Riley, which I apologize for.”
“I believe sports organizations have a responsibility to come up with rules supporting inclusion while maintaining fair competition. We all want a future for sport that is fair, inclusive, and respectful,” she added.
The other side:
Gaines later responded saying she accepts Biles’ apology.
“I accept Simone’s apology for the personal attacks including the ones where she body-shamed me,” Gaines replied. “I know she knows what this feels like. She’s still the greatest female gymnast of all time.”
Background of the Clash
What happened between Simone Biles and Riley Gaines?
The backstory:
The spar between Biles and Gaines started last week after Gaines called out a Minnesota high school whose softball team won a state championship with a transgender pitcher, according to FOX News.
The outlet reported that Marissa Rothenberger, a transgender athlete, tossed a shutout to continue a dominant postseason and give Champlin Park High School a state championship. The Minnesota State High School League posted a photo of the team on social media after the game, and Gaines noted the comments on X were turned off.
RELATED: DOJ investigating California for potential Title IX violations over trans athlete policies
“To be expected when your star player is a boy,” Gaines wrote.
“All of this campaigning because you lost a race. Straight up sore loser,” Biles responded to Gaines, who competed against trans swimmer Lia Thomas in 2022.
“You should be uplifting the trans community and perhaps finding a way to make sports inclusive OR creating a new avenue where trans feel safe in sports. Maybe a transgender category IN ALL sports!! But instead… You bully them… One things for sure is no one in sports is safe with you around!!!!!”
In another post, Biles added, “bully someone your own size, which would ironically be a male.”
“This is actually so disappointing. It’s not my job or the job of any woman to figure out how to include men in our spaces. You can uplift men stealing championships in women’s sports with YOUR platform. Men don’t belong in women’s sports and I say that with my full chest,” Gaines responded.
Apology and Backlash
Biles apologizes after backlash
Dig deeper:
Biles, the most decorated gymnast in history, faced fierce backlash for her comments on social media.
“As a decorated Olympic athlete Simone you should be using your platform to call out men in women’s sports, instead you are attacking a woman who is standing up for other women,” one person tweeted.
“Simone no girl. This is not it. Would you be ok losing your gold medals to a male who is stronger and faster than you?? I don’t think you would. Shameful stance you’re taking,” another person tweeted.
The Broader Context of Trans Athletes
Trans athletes under scrutiny
Big picture view:
Transgender athletes have found themselves the target of increasingly heated rhetoric.
President Donald Trump signed an executive order in February that gave federal agencies wide latitude to ensure entities that receive federal funding abide by Title IX in alignment with the Trump administration’s view, which interprets “sex” as the gender someone was assigned at birth.
A day later, the NCAA said it would limit competition in women’s sports to athletes who were assigned female at birth.
According to FOX News, studies have shown that nearly 80% of people believe that biological males should stay out of girls and women’s sports.
The Source: FOX News and the Associated Press contributed to this report. The information in this story comes primarily from posts made by Simone Biles and Riley Gaines on X (formerly Twitter), where their exchange took place publicly. This story was reported from Los Angeles.
Conclusion
The controversy surrounding Simone Biles and Riley Gaines highlights the complex and divisive issue of transgender athletes competing in women’s sports. While Biles has apologized for her personal attacks, the debate over inclusion, fairness, and competitive equity in sports continues. The involvement of high-profile athletes and political figures underscores the significance of this issue, which affects not only the sports world but also the broader societal discourse on gender, identity, and equality.
FAQs
- Q: What sparked the controversy between Simone Biles and Riley Gaines?
A: The controversy started after Gaines commented on a Minnesota high school softball team winning a state championship with a transgender pitcher, which led to a social media exchange with Biles. - Q: What did Simone Biles apologize for?
A: Biles apologized for getting personal in her response to Riley Gaines, acknowledging that her personal attacks did not contribute positively to the discussion. - Q: What is the current stance on transgender athletes in women’s sports?
A: The stance varies, with some advocating for inclusion and others arguing for separate categories or restrictions based on biological sex at birth. Recent policies and executive orders have sought to clarify or restrict transgender athletes’ participation in women’s sports. - Q: How does the public view the participation of transgender athletes in women’s sports?
A: According to reports, a significant percentage of the public believes that biological males should not compete in girls’ and women’s sports, citing concerns over fairness and competitive equity.
