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Seven-time Olympic gold medalist Simone Biles received harsh backlash on social media after the gymnastics star sparred with former 12-time NCAA All-American swimmer Riley Gaines over the debate surrounding transgender athletes competing in girls’ and women’s sports.
Gaines, a former University of Kentucky swimmer and current OutKick contributor and host of the “Gaines for Girls” podcast, took to X on Friday to call out the Minnesota State High School League for posting a picture of the new state champions, Champlin Park High School.
Simone Biles of the United States celebrates after winning gold in the women’s gymnastics all-around during the Paris 2024 Olympic Summer Games at Bercy Arena on Aug. 1, 2024. (Kyle Terada-USA Today Sports)
The school has made headlines because its dominant performance on the way to the title game was led by junior pitcher Marissa Rothenberger, a transgender athlete competing on the team.
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The photo posted on X had the comments disabled.
In response to Gaines’ criticism of the post, Biles posted a message calling Gaines “truly sick” over her stance on trans athletes. She even launched a personal attack at Gaines.
“You’re truly sick, all of this campaigning because you lost a race. Straight up sore loser,” Biles said, referencing Gaines competing against former UPenn swimmer Lia Thomas at the 2022 NCAA championships.
United States gymnast Simone Biles watches practice before the game between the Minnesota Vikings and Chicago Bears at Soldier Field, on Nov. 24, 2024. (Mike Dinovo-Imagn Images)
“You should be uplifting the trans community and perhaps finding a way to make sports inclusive OR creating a new avenue where trans feel safe in sports. Maybe a transgender category IN ALL sports!! But instead… You bully them… One things for sure is no one in sports is safe with you around!!!!!”
SIMONE BILES SPARS WITH RILEY GAINES OVER TRANS ATHLETE DEBATE, LAUNCHES PERSONAL ATTACK: ‘TRULY SICK’
The post went viral on social media, with Biles adding in another post, “bully someone your own size, which would ironically be a male.”
But Biles, the most decorated gymnast in history – a feat she accomplished at the Paris Olympics, faced fierce backlash for her comments on social media.
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Many on social media also pointed out Biles’ call for open categories in all sports.
In 2022, World Aquatics, the international governing body for swimming, updated its eligibility policy to effectively ban transgender athletes from competing in women’s events. The following year, the organization launched and debuted an open category at the World Aquatics Swimming World Cup in Berlin.
Simone Biles of the United States during the women’s team final at the Paris 2024 Olympic Summer Games at Bercy Arena on July 30, 2024. (Kyle Terada-USA Today Sports)
The organization later confirmed that upon the close of registration, no entries had been received for the open category.
Biles is an 11-time Olympic medalist. She holds 30 world championship medals, including a record 23 gold. She has not responded on social media following her initial posts aimed at Gaines.
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