Simone biles Addresses Transgender Athletes

Simone Biles Addresses Transgender Athlete Debate, Emphasizes Empathy and Inclusivity

Gymnastics icon Simone Biles has once again spoken out regarding the contentious discussion surrounding transgender athletes in sports, issuing an apology for previously personal comments directed at activist Riley Gaines. In a series of posts on X (formerly Twitter) on Tuesday, June 10, 2025, Biles clarified her stance, advocating for both competitive equity and inclusivity in the athletic sphere.

The Olympic gold medalist stated, “I’ve always believed competitive equity & inclusivity are both essential in sport.” She acknowledged that “the current system doesn’t adequately balance these important principles, which often leads to frustration and heated exchanges,” and expressed regret for making her prior exchange with Gaines “personal,” for which she apologized.

Biles emphasized that her objection was not to policies that compromise fairness in women’s sports, but rather to “singling out children for public scrutiny in ways that feel personal and harmful.” She added, “Individual athletes—especially kids—should never be the focus of criticism of a flawed system they have no control over.”

The social media exchange between Biles and Gaines began over the weekend, with Biles initially criticizing Gaines for comments on a Minnesota high school softball team that included a transgender player. Gaines, a former collegiate swimmer who has been vocal against the inclusion of transgender women in women’s sports, had responded by calling Biles a “male-apologist.”

Biles’ recent statements aim to bridge the divide, highlighting the complexity of the issue and calling for empathy and respect. She asserted that sports organizations have a responsibility to create rules that support inclusion while maintaining fair competition, striving for a future in sports that is “fair, inclusive, and respectful.”

Biles’ Stellar 2024 Olympic Performance

This latest news follows a highly successful outing for Biles at the recently concluded Paris 2024 Olympic Games. The gymnastics superstar added four more medals to her already glittering collection, securing three gold medals (Team, Individual All-Around, and Vault) and a silver medal on Floor Exercise. Her dominant performance further cemented her legacy as one of the greatest gymnasts of all time, making her the first American gymnast to win the individual all-around event twice.

Prior to the Olympics, Biles had also claimed a record-extending ninth all-around title at the 2024 U.S. Gymnastics Championships, signaling her strong return to competitive form after taking a break to prioritize her mental well-being. While Biles has not explicitly confirmed her plans beyond Paris 2024, she hinted that a possible appearance at the LA 2028 Olympics might not be entirely out of the question.