In the digital age, the world’s most celebrated athletes are rarely out of the spotlight. But even for Simone Biles—arguably the greatest gymnast of all time—the latest controversy has been a trial by fire. It began, as so many modern controversies do, with a tweet.
On a Friday evening, Riley Gaines, former collegiate swimmer and vocal women’s sports advocate, posted a pointed message. She called out the Minnesota State High School League for disabling comments on a post celebrating a girls’ softball team’s state championship victory—a team whose star pitcher, Gaines claimed, was a biological male. “To be expected when your star player is a boy,” Gaines wrote, igniting a familiar debate over fairness, inclusion, and the future of women’s sports.
The Tweet Heard ‘Round the Internet
Simone Biles, watching the discourse unfold, decided to weigh in. She quoted Gaines’ tweet and responded with characteristic directness: “You’re truly sick. All this campaigning because you lost a race. You should be uplifting the trans community or creating a new avenue for trans athletes to feel safe in sports. No one is safe in sports with Riley Gaines around.”
The message was clear—Biles stood with trans athletes, and she wasn’t afraid to say so. But her words, especially her jab that Gaines should “bully someone your own size (which would ironically be a male),” sparked an immediate and intense backlash.
The Firestorm Erupts
Within hours, Biles’ tweet was trending on X (formerly Twitter), as thousands of users weighed in. Some hailed her as a champion for inclusivity, applauding her willingness to stand up for marginalized athletes. Others, however, were furious.
Conservative commentators and women’s sports advocates accused Biles of “body shaming” and betraying the very principles that made her a legend. “You are one of the most well-known and accomplished female athletes,” wrote John Root, a prominent critic. “Yet you’ve said nothing to stop men competing in women’s sports. Riley Gaines has done more to protect girls’ sports than anyone.”
The backlash was not limited to Twitter. On TikTok and other platforms, women voiced their disappointment and anger. “Simone Biles tearing down Riley Gaines and telling her to support the trans community, calling her a sore loser, is probably the most disgusting thing I’ve seen in a long time,” said one TikTok user, her voice shaking with emotion.
Riley Gaines Claps Back
Gaines, never one to back down from controversy, responded with her own statement: “This is actually so disappointing. It’s not my job or any woman’s job to figure out how to include men in our spaces. Men don’t belong in women’s sports, and I say that with my full chest.”
She even posted a video with a tape measure, debunking claims about her size. “Wikipedia says I’m 5’9. Simone Biles told me to bully someone my own size, which would be a man. But here I am, 5’5 and a half. This is for Simone Biles who tells me to bully someone my own size.”
The video went viral, fueling further debate. Critics accused Biles of hypocrisy, arguing that she benefited from Title IX protections for women’s sports, yet was now undermining those same protections.
The Debate Over Fairness
At the heart of the controversy is a question that has divided sports fans, athletes, and policymakers: Should transgender women be allowed to compete in women’s sports? For Gaines and her supporters, the answer is a resounding no. They argue that biological males have inherent physical advantages that undermine fair competition and threaten opportunities for women.
Biles, for her part, advocated for inclusion and compassion. She suggested that if fairness was truly the concern, perhaps a separate transgender category could be created—a suggestion that, ironically, many transgender advocates reject. “The trans community doesn’t want that,” one commentator noted. “They just want to be able to compete against biological girls in sports.”
For many, the issue is deeply personal. “I would be so embarrassed to be her future daughters knowing that your mother was the person who actively fought to take away your opportunities and your rights in women’s athletics,” one critic said of Biles.
The Personal Becomes Political
The feud became increasingly personal, with accusations of body shaming and even speculation about Biles’ motives. Some suggested she was “paid” to support the LGBTQ community because of her public posts about Pride Month. Others mocked her appearance and questioned her athletic accomplishments, claiming she would never have succeeded if men were allowed to compete in women’s gymnastics.
Biles, meanwhile, refused to back down. She retweeted her own messages and continued to engage with critics, even as the number of negative comments soared. The ratio—42,000 comments to just 19 reposts—was, by the standards of social media, a sign that the tide of public opinion was against her.
The Broader Implications
The controversy over Biles and Gaines is more than just a spat between two athletes; it is a microcosm of a larger cultural battle. Supporters of trans inclusion in sports argue that everyone deserves a chance to compete and belong. Opponents warn that women’s sports are at risk of being undermined, and that female athletes will lose scholarships, awards, and even their sense of safety.
For now, the debate shows no sign of resolution. Biles remains a lightning rod—admired and reviled in equal measure. Gaines, for her part, has cemented her status as a leading voice in the fight to “protect women’s sports,” drawing both praise and scorn.
A Divided Audience
As the dust settles, one thing is clear: the world of women’s sports is more polarized than ever. The clash between Simone Biles and Riley Gaines is not just about two women with different views—it’s about the future of sports, the meaning of fairness, and the struggle to balance inclusion with competition.
And as with so many debates in the digital age, the battle lines are drawn not just on the field, but in the comment sections, hashtags, and viral videos that shape our collective conversation.
Simone Biles spars with Riley Gaines over trans athlete debate, launches personal attack: ‘Truly sick’
Gaines shared a photo of a Minnesota state championship softball team, which includes a transgender athlete
Simone Biles took offense to OutKick host Riley Gaines calling out a Minnesota high school whose softball team won a state championship Friday with a transgender pitcher.
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, the host of OutKick’s “Gaines for Girls” podcast, noted the comments on X were turned off.
Simone Biles and Riley Gaines got into a war of words over trans athletes in girls sports. (Imagn)
“To be expected when your star player is a boy,” Gaines wrote.
Biles, a seven-time Olympic gold medalist, saw the post and told Gaines she was “truly sick.”
“All of this campaigning because you lost a race. Straight up sore loser,” Biles wrote 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.”
Simone Biles married Chicago Bears safety Jonathan Owens in April 2023. (Joseph Weiser/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
“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.
Gaines added in a separate post, “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. Maybe she could compete in pommel horse and rings in 2028.”
“And the subtle hint at ‘body-shaming’ ???? Plzzzz I’m 5’5,” Gaines also said in response to the personal attack.
Biles did not go as far as saying transgender athletes belong in competition against girls and women. When an X user told Biles “there is a reason they have rings in men’s gymnastics, and not women’s,” Biles questioned the users “comprehension skills.”
“Can you even read? I see we are lacking comprehension skills as well…..” Biles wrote. Biles did recommend a transgender category in her first post to Gaines.
Riley Gaines is sworn in during a House Oversight Subcommittee on Health Care and Financial Services hearing on Capitol Hill Dec. 5, 2023, in Washington, D.C. (Drew Angerer/Getty Images)
Studies have shown that nearly 80% of people believe that biological males should stay out of girls and women’s sports.
