Simone Biles has once again lent her voice to the ongoing debate, this time after she vigorously criticized Riley Gaines for her stance on transgender athletes in sports. On Tuesday, June 10, the 28-year-old Olympic gymnast posted a detailed message on X, addressing her followers and providing a "follow-up" to her weekend posts. In those earlier posts, she had labeled the 25-year-old Gaines, a conservative activist and former swimmer, as a "sore loser" and someone who was "truly sick."
"I have always held fast to the belief that competitive equity and inclusivity are both indispensable pillars in the realm of sports," Biles began her follow-up message. "The prevalent system, however, falls short of adequately harmonizing these crucial principles, often leading to discontent and fiery exchanges. It was unwise of me to personalize my interactions with Riley, for which I extend my sincere apologies."
Biles emphasized that their conversation revolved around "delicate and intricate matters" for which she did not possess "ready answers or solutions." "But I firmly believe that empathy and respect serve as the cornerstone," she continued. "I was never advocating for policies that undermine fairness in women's sports. My issue lies in singling out children for public scrutiny in a manner that feels deeply personal and detrimental. Individual athletes, particularly children, should never be the scapegoat for a flawed system beyond their control."
"I am convinced that sports organizations bear the responsibility of devising rules that uphold inclusivity while ensuring fair competition," Biles concluded. "We all aspire to a future in sports that is fair, inclusive, and respectful," she added, signing off with "Xoxo Simone."
The furore began when Gaines commented on a post by the Minnesota State High School League featuring players posing with their first softball state championship plaque. Gaines remarked, "Comments off lol. To be expected when your star player is a boy," referring to Marissa Rothenberger, a transgender athlete and pitcher for the team, according to Fox News. Rothenberger played a pivotal role in securing the team's victory with a shutout performance.
Biles, quoting the X post, lashed out at Gaines, stating, "You're truly sick, resorting to all this campaigning just because you lost a race. You're a sore loser. Instead of campaigning, you should uplift the trans community and find ways to make sports inclusive or create a new avenue where trans individuals feel secure in sports. Perhaps a transgender category in ALL sports! But instead, you bully them. One thing is certain: no one in sports is safe with you around!" In another post amidst the spat, Biles wrote, "bully someone your own size, which would ironically be a male."
The exchange between Gaines and Biles was sparked by the Trump administration's ongoing efforts to counteract states like California, which allow transgender athletes to participate in sports that align with their gender identity. Earlier this month, when 16-year-old transgender athlete AB Hernandez won both the high school girls' high jump and triple jump at a California state track meet, the Trump administration threatened California with fines and legal action, according to CBS News. Hernandez's triumph also prompted California's Interscholastic Federation to revise its rules, allowing more "biological female student-athletes" to participate in events alongside transgender athletes, per AP.
