Simone Biles Issues Apology after an Online Feud on Equity and Inclusivity in Women’s Sports
USA Olympic gymnast Simone Biles has apologized to All-American swimmer Riley Gaines for making things "personal" in their social media spat last weekend over women's sports.
"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," Biles wrote on X on Tuesday.
"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," she added. "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," she continued. "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."
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
The heated debate between both women began last week after Biles criticized Gaines, who noted that the Minnesota State High School League turned off the comments on a post where they had won a championship, which could be due to one of the softball players being male.
Comments off lol
— Riley Gaines (@Riley_Gaines_) June 6, 2025
To be expected when your star player is a boy https://t.co/2qY2onUhNW
"One thing [is] for sure is no one in sports is safe with you around!!!!!" Biles told Gaines, adding in a follow-up post, "[B]ully someone your own size, which would ironically be a male."
bully someone your own size, which would ironically be a male @Riley_Gaines_
— Simone Biles (@Simone_Biles) June 6, 2025
Gaines, who was forced to compete against trans-identifying athlete Lia (Will) Thomas during the 2022 NCAA Division I Women's Swimming and Diving Championships, called Biles' remarks "so disappointing." She also invited Biles this week to discuss the issue on her "Gaines for Girls" podcast or another platform.
On Tuesday, Gaines accepted Biles' apology, stating she is "still the greatest female gymnast of all time" despite their heated dispute.
"A couple of things. Sports ARE inclusive by nature. Anyone can, and everyone SHOULD play sports," she added. "Competition, on the other hand, and by definition, is exclusive. So the idea of 'competitive equity' is nonsensical."
The swimmer further stressed that it's wrong to expect female athletes to remain silent and that male trans-identifying athletes have been detrimental to biological females in women's sports. She also contended that women's sports should not coerce girls "to center the feelings and validation of men and boys."
"You can't have any empathy and compassion for the girls if you're ignoring when young men are harming or abusing them," Gaines wrote. "I am not ashamed to be a voice for the voiceless."
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.
— Riley Gaines (@Riley_Gaines_) June 10, 2025
A couple of things. Sports ARE inclusive by nature. Anyone can and everyone SHOULD play… https://t.co/V8YbMvs3xf
At the conclusion of her post, Gaines agreed with Biles that lawmakers and the leaders of athletic organizations are to blame, and referred to her lawsuit against the NCAA and support for President Donald Trump's executive order to protect women's sports.
Although Gaines was present at the "Keeping Men Out of Women's Sports" executive order earlier this year, she noted that she did not see Biles there nor did she support the effort with her platform.
"I welcome you to the fight to support fair sports and a future for female athletes," she concluded. "Little girls deserve the same shot to achieve what you had."
Photo Credit: ©Getty Images/Laurence Griffiths/Staff
Originally published June 11, 2025.
