Simone Biles, a two-time Olympic all-around champion and the most decorated gymnast in history, has issued an apology following a contentious exchange with Riley Gaines, a former collegiate swimmer who has become an advocate for anti-trans sports policies.
The incident started when Gaines criticized a player on a Minnesota high school softball team, labeling them “a boy.” In response, Biles called out Gaines, labeling her comments as “truly sick” and referring to her as a “straight up sore loser.” However, Biles later took back these remarks.
Biles explained that her main concern was about how Gaines targeted an underage athlete who did not have control over what she described as a “flawed system” in sports today. She emphasized that the ongoing debate about balancing competitive fairness and inclusivity can easily lead to heated exchanges.
In her statements, Biles acknowledged that her approach toward Gaines was not productive. She believes that sports organizations should create rules that promote both inclusion and fair competition. “We all want a future for sport that is fair, inclusive, and respectful,” Biles concluded, highlighting the importance of these values in athletics.
