Olympic icon Simone Biles issued a public apology Tuesday after a heated exchange with ex-collegiate swimmer Riley Gaines over transgender athletes in women’s sports. Biles acknowledged her remarks got “personal” and stressed her core belief in both fairness and inclusion amid a flawed system.
The clash began when Gaines criticized a Minnesota high school team that allowed a male-born athlete to play—and ultimately win—a girls’ championship. Biles branded Gaines a “sore loser” and urged a new transgender-specific sports category. Critics accused Gaines of bullying the transgender player, while Biles faced backlash for her personal attacks.
In her apology on X, Biles said: “I apologize for getting personal with Riley… These are sensitive, complicated issues… I believe it starts with empathy and respect.” She emphasized that the problem lies in policies—not individual athletes—and urged sports bodies to create rules that are both fair and inclusive.
Gaines accepted the apology, stating: “Sports ARE inclusive by nature… competition ‘by definition is exclusive.’” She maintained that biological males in women’s sports unfairly disadvantage female athletes and invited Biles to join the fight for fairness.
This incident spotlights a growing clash over transgender participation in women’s sports. Biles now defends her stance while advocating for a balanced approach—erring on the side of empathy and policy reform, not personal attacks.
