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U.S. gymnast Simone Biles is backpedaling after her controversial statements against former college swimmer Riley Gaines, in which she had claimed Gaines is “truly sick” for trying to keep biological men out of women’s sports.
After being hit with major backlash, Biles backed down around noon Tuesday, releasing the following statement:
I wanted to follow up from my last tweets. I’ve always believed competitive equity & inclusivity are both essential in sport. 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.
These are sensitive, complicated issues that I truly don’t have the answers or solutions to, but I believe it starts with empathy and respect. 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.
Xoxo Simone 🤍
I wanted to follow up from my last tweets. I’ve always believed competitive equity & inclusivity are both essential in sport. 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…
— Simone Biles (@Simone_Biles) June 10, 2025
Gaines responded by saying she accepts the apology in a gracious statement:
I accept Simone’s apology for the personal attacks including the ones where she body-shamed me. I know she knows what this feels like. She’s still the greatest female gymnast of all time.
A couple of things. Sports ARE inclusive by nature. Anyone can and everyone SHOULD play sports. Competition, on the other hand and by definition, is exclusive. So the idea of “competitive equity” is nonsensical.
Secondly, the boys are publicly humiliating the girls. To suggest that women and girls must be silent or ignore a boy who is PUBLICLY hurting or humiliating them is wrong. You can’t have any empathy and compassion for the girls if you’re ignoring when young men are harming or abusing them. I am not ashamed to be a voice for the voiceless.
Lastly, I agree with you that the blame is on the lawmakers and leaders at the top. Precisely why I’m suing the NCAA and support candidates who vow to stand with women. That’s why I joined @realDonaldTrump at the signing of his Executive Order. I didn’t see you there or championing this effort with your platform.
Women’s sports can’t be used as an excuse for girl’s to center the feelings and validation of men and boys.
I welcome you to the fight to support fair sports and a future for female athletes. Little girls deserve the same shot to achieve that you had.
I accept Simone’s apology for the personal attacks including the ones where she body-shamed me. I know she knows what this feels like. She’s still the greatest female gymnast of all time.
A couple of things. Sports ARE inclusive by nature. Anyone can and everyone SHOULD play… https://t.co/V8YbMvs3xf
— Riley Gaines (@Riley_Gaines_) June 10, 2025
Many conservatives are firing back, saying they don’t believe Biles wrote the apology herself, and are suggesting it was written by a PR firm trying to save Biles’ reputation.
She didn’t write this. This is a PR firm.
— Buzz Patterson (@BuzzPatterson) June 10, 2025
I don’t believe you wrote this.
I believe you already revealed your true thoughts.
This reads to me like a PR firm created, face saving, half-hearted apology message whose sole purpose is to help you hang on to endorsement deals.
I hope it fails.
Get absolutely rekt.
— Brick Suit (@Brick_Suit) June 10, 2025
Simone,
You didn’t just “get personal” with Riley…
…you flat-out attacked her
This apology is the weakest I’ve ever read and clearly was done by a PR team and not by you.
The damage is done, you have lost my respect.
— Matt Van Swol (@matt_vanswol) June 10, 2025
Spare us your fake apology. You want men to ruin women’s sports because you’re a woke lunatic.
The only reason you’ve released this “apology” is for business reasons.
You’re a shameful person, Simone Biles.
This isn’t a complicated issue. Men don’t belong in women’s sports.
— Paul A. Szypula 🇺🇸 (@Bubblebathgirl) June 10, 2025
Looks like your PR team are working on damage control after realizing the majority of people are against men in women’s sports and stand with Riley and other female athletes.
— Oli London (@OliLondonTV) June 10, 2025
You’ve really hurt your professional legacy and have been exposed as someone who lied about the issues you campaigned for.
— Andy Ngo (@MrAndyNgo) June 10, 2025
Any girls sport that includes males will always be excluding the rights and feelings of the girls. Good try, Simone but you’ve shown your true colors. You are no girl’s girl, that’s for sure.
— Kira (@RealKiraDavis) June 10, 2025
REPORT: Simone Biles spars with Riley Gaines over trans athlete debate
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