Simone Biles Critiques Riley Gaines’ Stance on Transgender Athletes
Simone Biles publicly condemned former swimmer Riley Gaines for her comments advocating against transgender athletes in women’s sports, which Biles characterized as bullying stemming from Gaines’ fifth-place finish behind trans athlete Lia Thomas in 2022. Gaines, who has become an activist against trans inclusion in sports, responded by calling Biles a “male-apologist” and suggested she should compete in men’s gymnastics instead. Their exchange highlights ongoing tensions in the discourse surrounding trans athletes’ rights and participation in competitive sports.
