Photo Credit:Tim Clayton/Corbis via Getty Image
Olympic gymnastics legend Simone Biles has issued a public apology to former collegiate swimmer Riley Gaines following a heated online dispute regarding the participation of transgender athletes in women’s sports.
The controversy began earlier this month when Gaines criticized a Minnesota high school for featuring a transgender softball player, Marissa Rothenberger, in a social media post. Gaines, a vocal opponent of trans inclusion in women’s sports, accused the team of “erasing women” and claimed, “your star player is a boy.” The comment reignited an already polarizing national debate on gender identity and fairness in competitive sports.
Biles, known for her advocacy of inclusion and mental health, responded sharply on social media, calling Gaines a “bully” and a “sore loser,” suggesting her behavior was “truly sick.” In her initial tweets, Biles expressed support for trans athletes and questioned why some critics were so focused on attacking individuals rather than addressing policies.
However, following backlash from both fans and fellow athletes, including concerns about the tone of her comments, Biles took to X (formerly Twitter) to clarify and apologize for the personal nature of her remarks.
“It didn’t help for me to get personal with Riley, which I apologize for,” Biles wrote. “These are sensitive, complicated issues. My intention was to advocate for inclusion, not to attack anyone personally.”
Biles emphasized that while she stands firmly for both fairness and inclusion in sports, she believes the discussion should center around policy—not personal attacks. “We need governing bodies to lead with empathy and science, not anger,” she added.
Riley Gaines acknowledged the apology, stating she appreciated the gesture but remained committed to her position that biological males should not compete in women’s divisions. Gaines continues to be a prominent figure in the conservative movement, often speaking at political events about the protection of women’s sports.
The exchange comes amid growing political tension over transgender participation in athletics. Several states have passed laws banning trans athletes from competing in school sports consistent with their gender identity. In February, former President Donald Trump signed an executive order opposing such inclusion at the federal level.