GYMNASTICS LEGEND IN THE HOT SEAT! Simone Biles faces backlash from Rob Schneider and MyKayla Skinner. Does she have what it takes to bounce back?

Simone Biles Faces Backlash from Rob Schneider and MyKayla Skinner Amid Trans Athlete Debate

Olympic gymnastics legend Simone Biles has found herself at the center of a heated controversy after wading into the ongoing debate over transgender athletes in women’s sports. The drama unfolded on social media last week, igniting passionate responses from public figures and fellow athletes alike.

The spark came when Biles engaged in a fiery exchange with outspoken former swimmer Riley Gaines. Gaines has become a prominent voice against the participation of transgender women in female sports, recently criticizing Champlin Park’s victory in the Minnesota Girls State Softball Championship, which she claimed was aided by a transgender athlete.

Biles did not hold back, labeling Gaines a “bully” and saying she was “truly sick,” even comparing Gaines’ appearance to that of a man. The remarks quickly went viral, drawing sharp rebukes from across the sports and entertainment worlds. Former NFL star and politician Jay Feely fired back at Biles, while racing icon Danica Patrick called for “common sense” to prevail in the emotionally charged debate.

The backlash didn’t end there. Comedian Rob Schneider took to social media to throw his support behind Gaines, declaring, “I am proud to call Riley Gaines my biological female friend. And an American hero of all girls everywhere!”

Meanwhile, MyKayla Skinner—Biles’ former teammate at the Tokyo Olympics—added fuel to the fire with a damning critique of Biles’ comments. “It’s deeply troubling to see Simone Biles publicly label a fellow female athlete a ‘sore loser’—simply for expressing valid concerns about fairness in women’s sports,” Skinner wrote. She went on to praise Gaines for her courage, insisting that “women like her are not only standing for fairness, but for the future of female athletics itself.”

Skinner didn’t stop there. She accused Biles of having a history of belittling and ostracizing her behind the scenes. “Throughout my own career, I endured being belittled, dismissed, and ostracized by Simone,” Skinner alleged. “The pressure to stay silent was immense. I kept quiet out of respect—for the sport, for my teammates, and for the ideal of unity among athletes.”

Facing mounting criticism, Biles eventually issued a public apology. “I’ve always believed competitive equity & inclusivity are both essential in sport,” she wrote, acknowledging that her personal remarks toward Gaines were out of line. “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.”

Gaines accepted the apology, but only under certain conditions, leaving the debate far from settled.

As the dust settles, the incident has exposed deep divisions within the athletic community over the question of fairness and inclusion in sports—a conversation that shows no signs of slowing down.