Total Pro Sports
Simone Biles thought taking up transgender athletes would go in her favor, but not even her supporters could stand by her words.
Biles first called out Riley Gaines when the conservative activist commented on a post from the Minnesota State High School League of players posing with their first softball state championship plaque.
Gaines wrote, “Comments off lol. To be expected when your star player is a boy,” referring to Marissa Rothenberger, a transgender athlete who is a pitcher for the team.
Biles quoted the X post and wrote, “You’re truly sick, all of this campaigning because you lost a race. Straight up sore loser. 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 thing’s for sure is no one in sports is safe with you around!!!!!”
In a separate post on X amid the argument, Biles wrote, “Bully someone your own size, which would ironically be a male.”
After some intense backlash, Simone Biles would return to social media four days later with an apology.
The 28-year-old posted a lengthy message on X on Tuesday, telling her followers she wanted to “follow up” on her last posts from the weekend, in which she called 25-year-old Gaines, a conservative activist and former swimmer, a “sore loser” and “truly sick.”
“I’ve always believed competitive equity & inclusivity are both essential in sport,” Biles began in her follow-up post. “The current system doesn’t adequately balance these important principles, which often leads to frustration and heated exchanges, and it didn’t help for me to get personal with Riley, which I apologize for.”
The Olympic gymnast said their conversation covers “sensitive, complicated issues” that she doesn’t “have the answers or solutions to.”
“But I believe it starts with empathy and respect,” Biles continued.
“I was not advocating for policies that compromise fairness in women’s sports. My objection is to be singling out children for public scrutiny in ways that feel personal and harmful. Individual athletes—especially kids—should never be the focus of criticism of a flawed system they have no control over.”
“I believe sports organizations have a responsibility to come up with rules supporting inclusion while maintaining fair competition. We all want a future for sport that is fair, inclusive, and respectful,” Biles concluded, signing off with, “Xoxo Simone.”
Despite Simone Biles’ apology, there were several critics who wanted Athleta to terminate their partnership.
As of this writing, this has not happened.
Athleta’s Power of She Collective is in partnership with the Women’s Sports Foundation, which makes it abundantly clear that the WSF advocates for “LGBTQ+” inclusivity in sports.
***“LGBTQ+ athletes face stigmas and discrimination that inhibit their access to competition. In order for all girls and women to participate in and gain the benefits of sports, schools and sport...
