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Simone Biles has issued a response after the gymnast’s social media feud with former collegiate swimmer Riley Gaines sparked a debate about the inclusion of trans athletes in sports.
“I’ve always believed competitive equity & inclusivity are both essential in sport,” Biles, 28, wrote via X on Tuesday, June 10. “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.”
Biles continued, “These are sensitive, complicated issues that I truly don’t have the answers or solutions to, but I believe it starts with empathy and respect.”
The 11-time Olympic medalist clarified she was “not advocating for policies that compromise fairness in women’s sports.”
“My objection is to be singling out children for public scrutiny in ways that feel personal and harmful,” Biles said. “Individual athletes — especially kids — should never be the focus of criticism of a flawed system they have no control over. 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.”
Gaines, who now contributes to Outkick, responded to Biles in a lengthy response on Tuesday, saying she accepted the apology for her “personal attacks.”
“I know she knows what this feels like,” Gaines wrote via X. “She’s still the greatest female gymnast of all time. A couple of things. Sports ARE inclusive by nature. Anyone can and everyone SHOULD play sports. Competition, on the other hand and by definition, is exclusive. So the idea of ‘competitive equity’ is nonsensical.”
Gaines added, “Women’s sports can’t be used as an excuse for girl’s to center the feelings and validation of men and boys. I welcome you to the fight to support fair sports and a future for female athletes. Little girls deserve the same shot to achieve that you had.”
The social media back-and-forth between Gaines and Biles started on Friday, June 6, when Gaines alleged a Minnesota high school softball team won the state championship because their “star player is a boy.”
“You’re truly sick, all of this campaigning because you lost a race,” Biles responded via X. “Straight up sore loser. 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!!”
Biles continued, “But instead… You bully them… One things for sure is no one in sports is safe with you around!!!!!”
Gaines, a former collegiate swimmer at the University of Kentucky, has become a staunch advocate for keeping trans women out of sports in recent years. In 2022, Gaines competed against Lia Thomas, the first openly trans woman champion in the NCAA women’s division.
In another post on Friday, Biles called on Gaines to “bully someone your own size, which would ironically be a male.”
Gaines responded in short order, accusing Biles of “body shaming.”
“This is so disappointing,” Gaines wrote via X on Friday. “My take is the least controversial take on the planet. Simone Biles being a male-apologist at the expense of young girls’ dreams? Didn’t have that on my bingo card.”
