Simone Biles and Riley Gaines Clash Over Transgender Athletes in Heated Social Media Spat

In a fiery online clash, Olympic gymnastics legend Simone Biles and OutKick host Riley Gaines traded barbs over transgender athletes in sports, sparked by a Minnesota high school softball team’s state championship win. The team’s transgender pitcher, Marissa Rothenberger, threw a shutout, prompting Gaines to comment on X that the Minnesota State High School League disabled comments on their celebratory post, implying it was due to the pitcher’s gender. Biles called Gaines’ remarks “truly sick,” urging her to uplift transgender athletes and suggesting a separate transgender category in sports.

Gaines hit back in a video, accusing Biles of selling out female athletes by prioritizing men’s feelings. She argued it’s not women’s responsibility to validate male identities in sports, emphasizing her stance against transgender women competing in women’s categories. Biles took a personal jab, referencing Gaines’ 2022 loss to transgender swimmer Lia Thomas, calling her a “sore loser” and accusing her of bullying the trans community.

The exchange grew heated as Gaines pointed out Biles’ acknowledgment of biological differences between men and women, while also addressing Biles’ dig about her physique. Gaines, standing at 5-foot-5 and muscular, noted the irony, given Biles’ own history of scrutiny over her muscular build. Gaines also praised Biles’ courage in speaking out against former Team USA gymnastics doctor Larry Nassar’s abuse but criticized her for supporting policies that could force women to share locker rooms with transgender women, citing safety concerns.

This debate reflects broader tensions, with polls indicating nearly 80% of people oppose biological males competing in women’s sports. The clash between two prominent figures underscores the complex intersection of fairness, inclusion, and safety in athletics.