A social media firestorm is brewing after Olympic gymnast Simone Biles launched a personal attack on former NCAA swimmer and women’s sports advocate Riley Gaines. She called her “sick” and a “sore loser” over a post defending fairness in female athletics.
The drama began after the Minnesota State High School League shared a victory post celebrating Champlin Park’s softball state championship. Comments were disabled on the post. This caught the attention of Gaines, who has been outspoken about protecting women’s sports.
“Comments off lol. To be expected when your star player is a boy,” Gaines wrote.
That comment, referencing the presence of a biological male athlete on the team, quickly drew attention and backlash from Biles, who replied:
“@Riley_Gaines_ You’re truly sick, all of this campaigning because you lost a race. Straight up sore loser.”
Biles accused Gaines of bullying transgender athletes and suggested she should be working to create alternative divisions instead of “targeting” individuals. But critics say Biles went too far by turning a policy disagreement into a personal attack.
Fans Turn on Biles: “You’re No Longer a Role Model”
Biles’ response didn’t sit well with many of her followers, who flooded the replies with disappointment.
“Sad what has become of you Simone. Very sad…”
“Disrespectful and rude, especially coming from an Olympian.”
“You’re no longer a role model for little girls.”
While a few fans praised Biles for “standing up,” the overwhelming sentiment online pointed to a misstep — not unlike those she accused others of.
Gaines Fires Back: “It’s Not Our Job to Include Men in Women’s Spaces”
Never one to back down, Gaines responded by doubling down on her position: women shouldn’t be forced to compete against male athletes. She called Biles’ comments not only insulting but hypocritical, especially given the gymnast’s own history of being body-shamed and criticized for her muscular frame.
In a follow-up post, Biles reportedly told Gaines to “bully someone your own size, which would ironically be a male”. Gaines pointed to that comment as an accidental admission of the very biological differences she’s trying to defend.
“Simone Biles just made it personal. This isn’t about hate. It’s about fairness, safety, and protecting opportunities for women,” Gaines said.
Gaines: From NCAA Champion to Voice for Women
A 12-time All-American swimmer, Gaines first became a household name in 2022 after tying with transgender swimmer Lia Thomas at the NCAA Championships. She has since become a powerful voice in the fight to define “woman” in law, protect Title IX, and preserve single-sex sports.
She’s testified before the U.S. Senate, lobbied state legislatures, and built a national platform calling for clear boundaries in women’s athletics.
Meanwhile, many see Biles’ latest social media moment as a fall from grace, trading inspiration for insults.
