ESPN personality Stephen A. Smith has drawn attention for his alignment with Riley Gaines’ argument that men should not compete in women’s sports, following an intense personal feud with Olympic gold medalist Simone Biles. Smith, who is widely known for his provocative views, voiced support for Gaines, emphasizing the need for fair competition in athletics.
Smith’s comments came after Biles, the reigning Olympic champion, launched a personal attack on Gaines. This followed a contentious situation where Gaines, a former NCAA All-American swimmer, criticized a Minnesota softball league for removing comments from a photo of the state championship team, which included a transgender player. Smith, who hosts the show ‘The Stephen A. Smith Show,’ took the opportunity to address the growing controversy around transgender athletes in women’s sports.
Smith acknowledged the sensitive nature of the topic but expressed agreement with the broader premise of the debate. He highlighted the case of Lia Thomas, a transgender athlete from the University of Tennessee, who achieved top rankings in women’s swimming after transitioning from male to female. Smith pointed to Thomas’s success as a clear example of the perceived unfair advantage gained by transgender athletes competing against women.
Smith also emphasized the role of Title IX, the federal law that ensures equal opportunities for women in education, including athletics. He questioned the appropriateness of allowing transgender athletes to compete in women’s sports, suggesting that such policies may not be fair to women in the context of these protections.
While Smith did not endorse Gaines’ specific argument about Larry Nassar, the disgraced former doctor who sexually assaulted several female gymnasts, he supported her broader claims about the unfairness of allowing men to compete in women’s sports. He also dismissed the idea that the debate is about civil liberties, insisting instead that it is solely about the integrity of athletic competition.
Smith’s remarks drew widespread attention in sports and media circles, as they reflect the ongoing national debate over the inclusion of transgender athletes in sports. His comments, though controversial, have reignited discussions about sports equity and the role of gender in athletic competition. The debate continues to unfold as various stakeholders argue for and against the inclusion of transgender athletes in women’s sports.