Olympic gold medalist Simone Biles and former college swimmer Riley Gaines have publicly clashed over the inclusion of transgender athletes in girls and women’s sports. Biles criticized Gaines for her comments on a Minnesota high school’s softball team, which included a transgender pitcher, calling her ‘truly sick.’ The controversy highlights ongoing debates about gender inclusivity in athletics.
Transgender athlete Marissa Rothenberger helped Champlin Park High School secure a state championship by pitching a shutout in their final game. The Minnesota State High School League posted a photo of the team on social media after the game, and Gaines noted that comments on the post were disabled.
Gaines’ initial post, which was critical of the team’s use of a trans athlete, was met with a sharp response from Biles. Biles accused Gaines of being a ‘sore loser’ and criticized her for bullying transgender individuals instead of promoting inclusivity in sports. Biles suggested creating a transgender category in all sports as a solution to the issue.
In her response, Gaines argued that Biles was a ‘male-apologist’ and suggested she should compete in men’s gymnastics events if she were to support transgender men in women’s sports. She also defended her own height, noting that she is 5’5