Simone Biles issues apology to Riley Gaines after explosive feud: 'It didn't help'
Simone Biles has issued an apology after exchanging barbs with former swimmer Riley Gaines. The duo erupted in an explosive feud over the participation of transgender athletes in women's sports. However, on Tuesday, Biles apologized for her remarks against Gaines and emphasized the responsibility of sports organizations to balance inclusivity with fair competition.
The American gymnast said that 'competitive equity & inclusivity' were an essential part of sports. '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 added.
Simone Biles continued, 'My 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 ended her post by saying, 'We all want a future for sport that is fair, inclusive, and respectful.'
The former swimmer said that she accepted the apology. Calling Simone Biles the 'greatest female gymnast of all time', Riley Gaines invited her 'to support fair sports and a future for female athletes. Little girls deserve the same shot to achieve that you had.'
A war of words erupted between the two athletes last week after Gaines criticized Minnesota's Champlin Park softball team for reportedly including a 17-year-old trans player in their squad. This caught the attention of Biles, who called Gaines 'sick' and a 'sore loser.' The feud escalated, with the 11-time Olympic medalist calling on Gaines to 'bully someone your own size, which would ironically be a male.'
There has been a long-running debate over the inclusion of transgender athletes in sports. US President Donald Trump has taken a hard stance on the matter, passing an executive order in February to remove transgender athletes from sports that didn't match their biological sex.
She is an American gymnast who has won 11 medals at the Olympics.
The gymnast has seven Olympic gold medals to her name.
She became the first female American gymnast to win four gold medals at the 2016 Rio Olympics.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
&w=3840&q=100)
First Post
33 minutes ago
- First Post
Israel is 'fully ready' to attack Iran's nuclear sites, US on high alert
The US is on high alert amid heightened tensions in the Middle East, as Israel could launch a strike on Iran's nuclear sites, with no clear breakthrough in talks between Washington and Tehran. read more Advertisement Representational Image- AFP The United States is on high alert over concerns that Israel might launch a strike on Iranian nuclear facilities, The Washington Post reported. The Trump administration is concerned that Israel could target Iran's nuclear sites without US approval if nuclear talks between Washington and Tehran break down. Amid these fears, heightened tensions have emerged as hopes fade for President Trump to reach a deal with Tehran to limit Iran's nuclear programme and prevent another major conflict in the Middle East following the Israel-Hamas war. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Trump said on Wednesday that the United States would not allow Iran to develop a nuclear weapon. 'They can't have a nuclear weapon. Very simple, they can't have a nuclear weapon,' he said. West Asia is 'a dangerous place': Trump Speaking at the Kennedy Center in Washington on Wednesday evening, President Trump said: 'They are being moved out because it could be a dangerous place, and we'll see what happens. We've given notice to move out, and we'll see what happens.' US pulling non-essential personnels According to reports, the US is also planning a partial evacuation of its embassy in Iraq and will allow families of military personnel to leave certain locations in the Middle East due to heightened security threats, Reuters reported, citing US and Iraqi sources. The State Department said it had ordered the departure of all non-essential personnel from the US Embassy in Baghdad following its latest review and a commitment 'to keeping Americans safe, both at home and abroad.' The embassy was already operating with limited staff, so the order will not affect a large number of personnel. Meanwhile, Israel has informed the US that it is fully prepared to launch a strike on Iran, CBS News reported, citing several American officials. Iran's warning Iran has repeatedly warned that the United States, as Israel's main military and political supporter, would face consequences if Israel attacks Iran. On Wednesday, Iranian Defence Minister Aziz Nasirzadeh said that if Iran is targeted, it will retaliate by striking US bases in the region.
India.com
35 minutes ago
- India.com
We will destroy US military base if..., THIS Muslim country issues warning to US, Donald Trumps asks Americans to..., Nuclear talks to...
US President Trump- File image New Delhi: In a stern message to the United States, Iran has said that if nuclear talks fail and a military conflict with the US begins, it will target American military bases present in the region. The Donald Trump administration, on the other hand, has increased the security at its military bases in the Middle East as the nuclear talks with Iran appear to be heading toward failure. Iran's Defense Minister Aziz Nasirzadeh, while addressing the media on Wednesday, gave this concerning statement. It is important to note that the warning comes at a time when tensions are rising ahead of the sixth round of negotiations between the U.S. and Iran over Tehran's nuclear program. Know the entire matter here With an aim to revive the 2015 nuclear deal (JCPOA), which was unilaterally scrapped by then-President Donald Trump in 2018, the nuclear talks between Iran and the United States commenced in April. After returning to power in January 2025, Trump has once again implemented his 'maximum pressure' policy, which includes diplomatic efforts as well as threats of military action. Iran's Defense Minister, Nasirzadeh, said, 'Some American officials are threatening that if the negotiations fail, a conflict could begin. If war is imposed on us, all American bases in the region will be within our range, and we will strike them without hesitation.' Nasirzadeh also informed that Iran has recently tested a missile equipped with a two-ton warhead, indicating that the country is further strengthening its military capabilities. What is the US stance? President Donald Trump said on a podcast Wednesday that he is now less hopeful about the nuclear deal than he was before. He stated, 'I'm not as confident now as I was a few months ago. Something has happened, and I'm less optimistic about the deal.' The US president also reiterated that America will prevent Iran from developing nuclear weapons—whether through diplomacy or military action. He added that he is hoping for talks on Thursday, while Tehran has said the talks will take place on Sunday in Oman. Iran has indicated that it will respond to a previous U.S. proposal, which it had earlier rejected.
&w=3840&q=100)
Business Standard
42 minutes ago
- Business Standard
US DOJ urges federal court not to limit Trump's use of troops in LA
Justice Department lawyers argued that a bid by California to limit the troops to guarding federal property and personnel is illegal and called it "a crass political stunt" Bloomberg By Bob Van Voris and Madlin Mekelburg The US Justice Department urged a federal judge not to interfere with the Trump administration's deployment of the National Guard and US Marines to respond to deportation protests in Los Angeles. The Trump administration deployed thousands of National Guard troops and hundreds of US Marines in recent days to respond to protests in Los Angeles, over the objections of state and city officials. California is seeking a court order to limit military involvement in the protests over President Donald Trump's immigration raids. 'There is no rioters' veto to enforcement of federal law,' the US said in a filing Wednesday. 'And the president has every right under the Constitution and by statute to call forth the National Guard and Marines to quell lawless violence.' The president and California Governor Gavin Newsom have traded barbs over attempts to quell unrest in the city. Newsom said the decision to send in troops was illegal, and Trump suggested that Newsom should be arrested for his response to the protests. 'President Trump continues to violate the US Constitution and federal law by turning the military into his own personal police force against American citizens,' a spokesperson for Newsom said in a statement. The dispute is the latest flash point in a broader legal fight over the limits of president Trump's executive power. In a joint statement on Wednesday, Democratic attorneys general from 18 states including New York and Illinois said the deployment was 'unlawful, unconstitutional and undemocratic' because it was done without California's consent. A group of 19 states and the territory of Guam said in a court filing they support Trump's use of National Guard troops without California's consent, calling it 'responsible, constitutional and authorized by statute.' Among the state leaders supporting for Trump's decision is Texas Governor Greg Abbott, a Republican, who vowed to use National Guard troops if needed in protests planned for June 14 in the state. Florida Governor Ron DeSantis, also a Republican, offered to deploy members of the Florida State Guard to assist efforts to respond to the California protests, but Newsom rejected his offer, according to the Orlando Sentinel. At least 400 people have been arrested in the greater Los Angeles area since the weekend amid clashes between police and demonstrators rallying in response to increasingly aggressive raids by Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents. Mayor Karen Bass imposed a nighttime curfew on Tuesday in a one-square-mile section of downtown where tensions have run high during days of demonstrations. She said 23 businesses were looted the night before, many were also vandalized and the area had been covered in graffiti. Of the federalized National Guard troops, more than 2,000 have been used to protect people and buildings by conducting security patrols, staffing observation posts and securing the perimeter of federal buildings, Army Major General Niave Knell said in a declaration included in the court filing. More than 700 Marines are 'currently training in preparation to conduct similar protection operations,' she said. The case is Newsom v. Trump, 25-cv-04870, US District Court, Northern District of California (San Francisco).
