Simone Biles Clashes with Riley Gaines Over Trans Athlete Controversy
In a fiery exchange that has gripped social media and reignited the debate over trans athletes in women's sports, Olympic gymnastics legend Simone Biles has publicly called out former college swimmer Riley Gaines, labeling her "sick" and a "sore loser." The clash began after Gaines mocked a high school girls' softball team in Minnesota for including a transgender player, prompting an impassioned response from Biles defending inclusion and condemning bullying.
It all started when the Minnesota State High School League shared a celebratory post about Champlin Park High School’s victory in the Class AAAA state championship. One of the team's standout players is a trans girl, and the league opted to disable comments on the post—likely anticipating backlash. Gaines responded to the post by writing, “Comments off lol… To be expected when your star player is a boy,” sparking instant outrage.
Simone Biles, a seven-time Olympic medalist and vocal advocate for athlete mental health and inclusion, didn’t hold back. She slammed Gaines on social media, saying, “You’re truly sick, all of this campaigning because you lost a race. Straight up sore loser.” Biles was referring to the time Gaines finished in a tie with Lia Thomas, a trans swimmer, at the 2022 NCAA Championships—a moment that seemingly fueled Gaines's outspoken campaign against trans inclusion in women’s sports.
Also Read:- LVMH Faces Headwinds as Cognac and Champagne Sales Falter
- Arnold Schwarzenegger Tells Climate Critics: “Stop Whining and Take Action”
In response, Gaines doubled down. She accused Biles of “uplifting men stealing championships in women’s sports,” and rejected any responsibility to create inclusive solutions for trans athletes. Gaines, who has been a frequent guest on conservative media platforms, also implied Biles was being a “male-apologist” and criticized her for mocking her appearance—after Biles made a pointed remark suggesting Gaines "bully someone your own size… which would ironically be a male."
Former ESPN reporter Sage Steele chimed in to support Gaines, criticizing Biles and suggesting she lacked firsthand experience competing against trans athletes. Steele argued that Gaines’s experience—competing against and sharing a locker room with a trans woman—deserved sympathy, not ridicule.
This is not Gaines's first political moment. Earlier this year, she stood with Donald Trump as he signed an executive order banning transgender athletes from competing in female sports categories. Gaines later posted a throwback photo of her and Lia Thomas on the podium, claiming she felt “cheated, betrayed, and violated” at that time.
The Simone Biles-Riley Gaines standoff is more than just a personal spat—it’s a reflection of a broader cultural clash over gender identity, fairness in sports, and the definition of inclusivity. As high-profile voices on both sides amplify their views, the conversation around trans inclusion in athletics is only getting louder. And in this digital age, every post and clapback becomes part of the evolving story.
Read More:
0 Comments