“Simone Biles slammed after ‘disrespectful’ comment about transgender athletes”
Olympic gymnastics legend Simone Biles is facing backlash after calling out former NCAA swimmer and conservative activist Riley Gaines, sparking claims that her remarks were “disrespectful” toward those challenging transgender inclusion in women’s sports.
The controversy emerged when Gaines criticized a Minnesota high school softball team, alleging a transgender pitcher—Marissa Rothenberger—competed unfairly in the girls’ championship. Gaines called the athlete “a boy,” igniting outrage. In response, Biles took to X (formerly Twitter), labeling Gaines a “straight up sore loser” and “truly sick,” accusing her of bullying and urging a more inclusive approach—such as creating a separate category for transgender athletes
Biles’ argument wasn’t just a personal attack but a call for empathy and structural inclusion. She wrote:
“You should be uplifting the trans community … Maybe a transgender category IN ALL sports!! … But instead… You bully them”
Her stance underscored her long history advocating for inclusivity and mental health awareness, adding weight to her words in this debate .
Unsurprisingly, Gaines fought back fiercely. On the “Gaines for Girls” podcast, she criticized Biles as hypocritical—brandishing a prior 2017 tweet in which Biles had warned against letting male athletes into female events as “undermining nonsensical”. Gaines further suggested Biles’ current support of trans inclusion came only after her own competitive opportunities were over. Gaines characterized Biles’ empathy as selective, likening it to “pulling up the ladder once done with sports
The exchange ramped up when Gaines insisted women have no obligation to accommodate those she deems male:
“It’s not my job or the job of any woman to figure out how to include men in our spaces”
Meanwhile, other public figures weighed in. Former NASCAR driver Danica Patrick sided with Gaines, framing the issue as symptomatic of a “woke mind virus,” and praising Gaines’ courage
Why this fight matters
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Deutschland of a hot-button issue: The disagreement highlights a larger societal debate about balancing inclusion, fairness, and safety in sports—a debate that splits both activists and the public.
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Role of high-profile athletes: With her massive global platform, Biles’ voice carries enormous influence. Her vocal support for trans inclusion signals a growing trend among elite athletes to stand on contentious social issues
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Emotional stakes: Both sides are accusing the other of bullying. Biles frames her critique as defending marginalized youth, while Gaines sees her own stance as defending women’s sports spaces.
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Not just online drama: Such public disputes have real-world implications. Many states are debating laws limiting transgender athletes’ participation in sports, and public pressure—especially from well-known athletes—can influence policy outcomes.
Bottom line
This clash between Biles and Gaines underscores how deeply polarized and emotionally charged the transgender inclusion debate in sports has become. Biles made her voice heard defending inclusivity and empathy, even suggesting new structural pathways like separate categories. Gaines staunchly defended women-only competition, accusing Biles of disrespect and hypocrisy. As both cultural norms and legal frameworks evolve globally, the standoff reflects a pivotal moment in shaping the future of competitive gender inclusion in athletics.
