In the ever-evolving intersection of sports, culture, and social issues, few topics have proven as divisive as the question of transgender participation in women’s athletics. The latest flashpoint in this ongoing debate unfolded across a series of high-profile exchanges involving Simone Biles, Riley Gaines, and ESPN’s outspoken commentator Stephen A. Smith—a sequence that would leave many viewers and listeners stunned by the candor and intensity of the conversation.
The Spark: Minnesota Softball and the Transgender Athlete Debate
The controversy began in Minnesota, where a high school softball team won the state championship with the help of a transgender athlete—a biological male who identifies as female and played as a pitcher. The athlete’s dominating performance reignited fierce debate about fairness and inclusion in women’s sports, with critics arguing that biological differences provide transgender women with an unfair advantage, while supporters emphasized the importance of inclusivity and respect for gender identity.
One of the most vocal and persistent critics of transgender women competing in female sports has been Riley Gaines, a former NCAA swimmer who has made it her mission to advocate for what she sees as the protection of women’s sports. Gaines, who famously competed against transgender swimmer Lia Thomas, has become a prominent figure in the movement to restrict participation in women’s sports to biological females.
Simone Biles Enters the Fray
The debate took on a new dimension when Simone Biles, the most decorated gymnast in history and an icon of women’s athletics, weighed in on social media. Responding to Gaines’s criticism of the Minnesota softball situation, Biles posted a pointed message on X (formerly Twitter):
“You’re truly sick. All of this campaigning because you lost a race. 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 people feel safe in sports. Instead you bully them. One thing’s for sure is no one in sports is safe with you around.”
Biles’s comments were met with a firestorm of reactions—some praising her for standing up for inclusion, others condemning her for what they saw as dismissing the concerns of female athletes. The backlash was swift and vocal, with critics accusing Biles of “selling out” young girls and disregarding the safety and fairness issues at stake.
Riley Gaines Responds
For Riley Gaines, Biles’s comments were deeply disappointing. In interviews and social media posts, Gaines expressed her heartbreak—not at the personal attacks, but at seeing a role model and trailblazer for women’s sports, in her view, “pull up the ladder” behind her. Gaines emphasized her admiration for Biles’s achievements but lamented that someone with such a powerful platform would, as she saw it, side against the interests of young female athletes like her own sister, an elite-level gymnast.
Gaines’s response was not just emotional but also pointed. In one of her statements, she referenced the horrific sexual abuse perpetrated by Larry Nassar, the former USA Gymnastics team doctor who was convicted of abusing hundreds of young athletes, including Biles. Gaines drew a controversial parallel, arguing that just as Nassar’s abuse was condemned, so too should the “sexual abuse” she says occurs when female athletes are forced to undress or shower alongside biological males in locker rooms.
Stephen A. Smith Hosts the Conversation
Into this charged atmosphere stepped Stephen A. Smith, the high-profile sports commentator known for his passionate takes and willingness to tackle controversial subjects. On his podcast, Smith invited Gaines to discuss the issue. At first, Smith expressed strong agreement with Gaines’s general position:
> “Women should be competing against women. Men should be competing against men. And transgenders should be competing against transgenders. I have no problem with it whatsoever. I don’t know why that’s controversial.”
However, Smith took issue with Gaines’s invocation of Larry Nassar in her argument, calling it “below the belt” given the trauma Biles and others endured. He asked Gaines if she regretted bringing Nassar into the conversation.
The Exchange: Checking and Backtracking
Gaines stood firm, providing context for her comparison and reiterating her condemnation of Nassar as a “monster” who deserved to spend his life in prison. She explained her perspective as someone who had experienced what she described as sexual abuse in the form of forced exposure to biological males in locker rooms. Gaines argued that while Nassar’s crimes were heinous, the normalization of biological males in female spaces was also a form of sexual abuse that deserved to be condemned.
Smith, visibly affected by Gaines’s personal testimony, acknowledged her point. He admitted that as a man, he could never truly understand the experiences of female athletes and said he would not try to argue further. Smith’s willingness to step back and listen was notable, as was his recognition of the importance of women’s voices in this debate.
Seeking Solutions
The conversation turned to possible solutions. Smith suggested a straightforward resolution: biological males should not compete in female sports. Gaines noted that while she initially supported the idea of a third category for transgender athletes, real-world attempts to implement such divisions—such as FINA’s creation of a separate category in international swimming—had failed, as transgender athletes refused to participate.
Both agreed that the issue remains deeply complex, with no easy answers. Gaines emphasized the need to prioritize safety and fairness for female athletes, while Smith reiterated his commitment to respecting the lived experiences of women.
The Aftermath
The exchange between Gaines and Smith quickly became a talking point in sports media and online forums. Supporters of Gaines praised her for standing her ground and articulating the concerns of many female athletes. Critics accused her of using inflammatory rhetoric and questioned the wisdom of invoking the Nassar scandal.
Smith, for his part, was described by some as “stunned” and “backtracking” in the face of Gaines’s arguments—a pattern some observers noted had occurred in previous interviews with conservative guests. Others saw his response as a rare example of humility and a willingness to listen.
Conclusion
The debate over transgender participation in women’s sports is far from settled, and the conversation between Riley Gaines, Simone Biles, and Stephen A. Smith highlights the deep emotions and complexities involved. As society continues to grapple with questions of fairness, inclusion, and safety, voices from all sides will need to be heard—and, perhaps most importantly, respected.
In the end, the story is not just about sports, but about who gets to define fairness, who is protected, and who is heard in the spaces where culture and competition collide.
