Olympic Showdown: Simone Biles and Riley Gaines Ignite Explosive Feud Over Transgender Athletes—Gold Medalist and Swimming Star Clash Publicly, Sparking National Firestorm. Social Media Erupts as Sports Icons Trade Barbs, Fans Take Sides, and Debate Over Fairness and Inclusion Reaches Fever Pitch. What’s Really at Stake? Full Story Inside!

On June 6, Simone Biles called out Riley Gaines on X for being a “sore loser”

Simone Biles attends the 2024 CMA Awards at Music City Center on Nov. 20, 2024, in Nashville ; Riley Gaines at the signing of ‘No Men in Women’s Sports Executive Order’ into law on Feb. 5, 2025, in Washington, D.C.Credit : Taylor Hill/WireImage ; ANDREW CABALLERO-REYNOLDS/AFP via Getty

Tensions are rising online between Simone Biles and Riley Gaines.

On June 6, the Olympic gymnast and the former swimmer began feuding on social media over disagreements on transgender athletes’ participation in sports. After Gaines made anti-trans remarks about a transgender softball player while commenting on a celebratory post from the Minnesota State High School League, Biles called her a “sore loser” and accused her of being a “bully.”

The heated exchange comes amid ongoing national debate, as the Trump administration pushes back against states that allow transgender athletes to participate in sports that align with their gender identity.

Just one week before Biles and Gaines’ online feud began, the administration threatened California with fines and legal action after a 16-year-old transgender athlete, AB Hernandez, won both the girls’ high jump and triple jump at a state track meet, according to CBS News. Following Hernandez’s victories during qualifying events, the California Interscholastic Federation updated its rules to allow more “biological female student-athletes” to enter events that transgender athletes are also competing in, per AP News.

So, why are Simone Biles and Riley Gaines feuding? Here’s everything to know about what led to their heated online exchanges.

Who is Riley Gaines?

Riley Gaines Barker poses for a photo in February 2025.Riley Gaines Barker/ Instagram

Gaines, a former swimmer, is a conservative activist who has notoriously campaigned against the participation of trans women in women’s sports.

According to her website, the University of Kentucky alum describes herself as “a leader defending women’s single-sex spaces, advocating for equality and fairness, and standing up for women’s safety, privacy, and equal opportunities.”

She is also the host of OutKick’s Gaines for Girls podcast.

Why are Simone Biles and Riley Gaines feuding?

Simone Biles; Riley Gaines.Kristy Sparow/Getty ; Anna Moneymaker/Getty

The athletes began clashing online on June 6 after Gaines made an anti-trans comment on a post from the Minnesota State High School League, which celebrated its first softball state championship win.

“Comments off, lol. To be expected when your star player is a boy,” Gaines replied to the league’s post on X. According to Fox News, she was referring to Marissa Rothenberger, a transgender athlete who is a pitcher for the team. Rothenberger helped secure the win by pitching a shutout, as their opponents failed to score any runs.

The Olympic medalist then replied to Gaines’ post on X, calling her a “straight up sore loser” and “bully.”

“You’re truly sick, all of this campaigning because you lost a race,” Biles wrote. “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!!”

She continued, “But instead… You bully them… One things for sure is no one in sports is safe with you around!!!!!”

Biles shared another post on X moments later, writing, “bully someone your own size, which would ironically be a male @Riley_Gaines_.”

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Gaines replied to that post on X, calling Biles’ comments “so disappointing” and noting that she felt her “take is the least controversial take on the planet.”

“Simone Biles being a male-apologist at the expense of young girls’ dreams? Didn’t have that on my bingo card,” she wrote. “Maybe she could compete in pommel horse and rings in 2028.”

In a follow-up post, Gaines then accused Biles of subtle “body shaming.”

Shortly after, Gaines posted an Instagram video in which she shared Biles’ comments and said she “couldn’t care less” about what the gymnast has to say about her.

What has Simone Biles said about their feud?

Simone Biles attends ‘Simone Biles Rising’ FYC event on June 2, 2025, in Hollywood, Calif.Rodin Eckenroth/Getty

On June 10, a few days after slamming Gaines for her views on transgender athletes, Biles posted a lengthy message on X, telling her followers she wanted to “follow up” on her previous posts.

“I’ve always believed competitive equity & inclusivity are both essential in sport,” the Olympic gymnast wrote. “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.”

She continued, “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.”

Biles noted she was “not advocating for policies that compromise fairness in women’s sports,” but clarified that her “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,” she continued. “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.”