Riley Gaines and Simone Biles Clash Over Inclusion of Men in Women’s Sports

June 9, 2025 — The Debate Over Fairness and Inclusion Continues to Intensify

Simone Biles and Riley Gaines

A fresh and fiery social media feud has erupted between former NCAA swimmer Riley Gaines and Olympic gymnast Simone Biles, igniting a passionate debate over the inclusion of transgender athletes in women’s sports. The issue was sparked when Gaines criticized a high school softball team for fielding a male athlete in a girls’ competition, and Biles swiftly responded with a scathing rebuttal that has sent shockwaves through the sports community.

The Initial Disagreement: Gaines Takes Aim at the Softball Championship

The controversy began when the Minnesota State High School League announced Champlin Park as the 2025 AAAA Softball State Champion via X (formerly Twitter). Gaines, known for her outspoken views on women’s sports, quickly reposted the tweet with a comment: “Comments off lol. To be expected when your star player is a boy.”

Gaines’ comment was directed at the high school’s star player, a boy who was participating in a girls’ competition. The tweet quickly gained traction, with supporters backing her stance that biological males should not be competing in women’s sports. However, her statement didn’t sit well with everyone, especially Olympic gold medalist Simone Biles.

Simone Biles Responds: “Truly Sick” and “Sore Loser”

Simone Biles Shines in Olympic-Inspired Red Bikini

Biles, who has long been a vocal advocate for inclusion and equal opportunities for all athletes, did not hesitate to respond to Gaines. In a fiery post of her own, Biles called Gaines “truly sick” and a “sore loser” for her stance. “@Riley_Gaines_ You’re truly sick, all of this campaigning because you lost a race. Straight up sore loser,” Biles tweeted, accusing Gaines of being driven by personal bitterness rather than a genuine concern for fairness in sports.

Biles’ statement didn’t stop there. She continued with a more pointed attack, suggesting that instead of condemning the inclusion of transgender athletes, Gaines should focus on promoting inclusivity: “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…”

Biles also added, “One things for sure is no one in sports is safe with you around!!!!!” These words caused a stir in the sports world, as Biles’ reputation as one of the most successful and decorated athletes in Olympic history was now being used to advocate for a more inclusive approach to transgender participation in sports.

Gaines’ Retort: “Men Don’t Belong in Women’s Sports”

Gaines, never one to shy away from controversy, fired back with a sharp reply that further amplified the tension between the two athletes. “This is actually so disappointing,” Gaines tweeted. “It’s not my job or the job of any woman to figure out how to include men in our spaces. You can uplift men stealing championships in women’s sports with YOUR platform. Men don’t belong in women’s sports and I say that with my full chest.”

Her response reinforced her long-standing position that biological males should not be allowed to compete in female sports. Gaines has made this issue a core part of her advocacy and platform, often voicing concerns about fairness in competition and what she sees as the erasure of women’s achievements in sports.

Public Reaction: A Polarizing Debate

As expected, the exchange between Gaines and Biles sparked intense reactions from the sports world and beyond. #StandWithRileyGaines and #SupportSimoneBiles quickly trended on social media, with fans taking sides in the increasingly polarized debate.

Some fans rallied behind Gaines, citing her concerns about fairness in women’s sports and the need to protect opportunities for biological women. “It’s simple—if you’re biologically male, you shouldn’t compete in women’s sports,” one supporter posted.

Others sided with Biles, supporting her call for inclusion and emphasizing the importance of ensuring equal rights for transgender athletes. “Simone is right, we need to find ways to make sports inclusive for everyone. Trans athletes should not be marginalized,” another fan commented.

Several prominent figures in sports have weighed in on the debate, with some agreeing with Gaines and others defending Biles’ stance. Former tennis player Martina Navratilova, a long-time advocate for equality in sports, expressed a nuanced opinion, suggesting that the conversation should be focused on finding ways to ensure fairness while also respecting the rights of transgender athletes.

The Broader Impact: What This Means for Women’s Sports

Riley Gaines, activists say they were spat on, attacked by protesters at  ceremonial bill signing in Texas | Fox News

This latest exchange between Gaines and Biles has brought the issue of transgender athletes in women’s sports into the forefront once again. With growing concerns about the fairness of competition, and the increasing visibility of athletes like Gaines and Biles, this debate is far from over.

For many, this issue transcends sports—it’s about the values of fairness, inclusion, and equality. While both sides of the debate make compelling arguments, it’s clear that a resolution that satisfies everyone may be difficult to achieve.

The impact of this conversation extends beyond the WNBA and into every professional sports league, and it’s shaping how future generations of athletes, both cisgender and transgender, will experience competition. The outcome of this discourse will likely have lasting effects on the policies that govern sports participation for years to come.

As the debate continues to unfold, one thing is certain: athletes like Riley Gaines and Simone Biles are setting the stage for the future of sports in a world where inclusivity and fairness are more important than ever.