Overview

• Simone Biles attacked Riley Gaines as “truly sick” and a “bully,” urging the creation of a separate transgender category after Gaines criticized a trans pitcher’s role in a Minnesota high school softball championship.
• Riley Gaines countered on her “Gaines For Girls” podcast, calling Biles’ tweets hypocritical by citing the gymnast’s past remarks on male athletic advantages and saying the posts “basically incinerated” her legacy.
• UFC veteran Chael Sonnen publicly backed Gaines, while gymnastics historian Katherine Keirns and University of Illinois gymnast Sam Phillips defended Biles’ inclusive stance.
• The Minnesota State High School League disabled comments on its title announcement following Gaines’ post, and the NCAA’s rules on transgender participation have come under renewed scrutiny.
• Both athletes have signaled openness to formal debate, with Biles inviting discussion on social media and Gaines extending an open invite on her podcast.