Simone Biles apologized to Riley Gaines on Tuesday for their online spat over trans-identifying males in women’s sports, the Olympic gymnast adding that she believes the current women’s sports system is “flawed.”
The two athletes clashed on Friday when Biles attacked Gaines seemingly out of the blue, calling the former University of Kentucky swimmer a “sore loser” and telling her to “bully someone your own size, which would ironically be a male.”
“I wanted to follow up from my last tweets,” Biles posted Tuesday on X. “I’ve always believed competitive equity & inclusivity are both essential in sport. The current system doesn’t adequately balance these important principles, which often leads to frustration and heated exchanges, and it didn’t help for me to get personal with Riley, which I apologize for.”
I wanted to follow up from my last tweets. I’ve always believed competitive equity & inclusivity are both essential in sport. The current system doesn’t adequately balance these important principles, which often leads to frustration and heated exchanges, and it didn’t help for me…
— Simone Biles (@Simone_Biles) June 10, 2025
This is so disappointing. 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. https://t.co/Ptn35pyEvh
— Riley Gaines (@Riley_Gaines_) June 6, 2025
Biles claimed she did not mean to push policies that “compromise fairness” in women’s sports.
“These are sensitive, complicated issues that I truly don’t have the answers or solutions to, but I believe it starts with empathy and respect. I was not advocating for policies that compromise fairness in women’s sports,” Biles said. “My objection is to be singling out children for public scrutiny in ways that feel personal and harmful. Individual athletes — especially kids — should never be the focus of criticism of a flawed system they have no control over.”
“I believe sports organizations have a responsibility to come up with rules supporting inclusion while maintaining fair competition. We all want a future for sport that is fair, inclusive, and respectful,” she said.
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Biles had initially responded to a post from Gaines last week criticizing a high school girls’ softball team that won a state championship after the team’s trans-identifying male pitcher pitched five straight games in which he gave up just one run.
“Bully someone your own size, which would ironically be a male,” Biles told Gaines.
The Olympian also posted, “You’re truly sick, all of this campaigning because you lost a race. Straight up sore loser,” adding that Gaines should be “uplifting the trans community.”
“But instead… You bully them… One things for sure is no one in sports is safe with you around!!!!!” Biles said.
Gaines responded, telling Biles her comments were “disappointing.”
“This is so disappointing. 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,” Gaines posted.
Gaines’ 2022 tie with trans-identifying male swimmer Lia Thomas, after which Thomas was given the trophy, helped ignite the battle to keep men out of women’s sports.
After Biles’ apology on Tuesday, Gaines quickly responded.
“I accept Simone’s apology for the personal attacks including the ones where she body-shamed me. I know she knows what this feels like. She’s still the greatest female gymnast of all time,” Gaines posted on X.
I accept Simone's apology for the personal attacks including the ones where she body-shamed me. I know she knows what this feels like. She's still the greatest female gymnast of all time.
A couple of things. Sports ARE inclusive by nature. Anyone can and everyone SHOULD play… https://t.co/V8YbMvs3xf
— Riley Gaines (@Riley_Gaines_) June 10, 2025
Gaines added that competition “by definition is exclusive.”
“To suggest that women and girls must be silent or ignore a boy who is PUBLICLY hurting or humiliating them is wrong,” Gaines said. “You can’t have any empathy and compassion for the girls if you’re ignoring when young men are harming or abusing them. I am not ashamed to be a voice for the voiceless.”
Gaines added that she agrees that the blame is on lawmakers and leaders, which she said is why she is suing the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) and joined President Donald Trump when he signed an executive order on women’s sports.
“I didn’t see you there or championing this effort with your platform,” Gaines told Biles, adding that she welcomes Biles to the “fight to support fair sports and a future for female athletes. Little girls deserve the same shot to achieve that you had.”