Biles, Gaines Clash Over Trans Athletes in Sports

A heated public feud erupted between Olympic gymnast Simone Biles and former NCAA swimmer Riley Gaines over the participation of transgender athletes in women's sports. The dispute began after Gaines criticized a Minnesota high school softball team for featuring a transgender pitcher, prompting Biles to defend the athlete and call Gaines a bully, including making personal remarks about Gaines' appearance, for which she later apologized. Gaines accepted the apology but characterized it as a victory for her advocacy against transgender women competing in female sports. The incident sparked polarized reactions, with some left-leaning commentators criticizing Gaines, while others on the left accused Biles of capitulating by apologizing. Recent polling indicates a majority of Americans believe athletes should compete according to their birth sex. The controversy was heightened when Gaines referenced Biles' experience as a survivor of abuse, further intensifying the debate.