Simone Biles and Riley Gaines Feud: What We Know As Tension Escalates

Newsweek

5 hours ago

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Simone Biles and Riley Gaines have been involved in a public feud, and tension has escalated as MyKayla Skinner has inserted herself into the drama.
Newsweek reached out to Skinner's representative via email for comment on Wednesday.
The Context
Biles is a record-breaking Olympic gymnast who gained attention in 2011 at national competitions. She won her first world title in 2013, and by 2015, she became the first woman to win three-straight world all-around titles. To date, the 28-year-old has 11 Olympic medals, including seven gold.
Gaines, 25, is the host of Outkick's Gaines for Girls podcast. She's a former swimmer at the University of Kentucky and is an advocate against trans women in women's sports.
What To Know
The now-viral drama began on June 6 when Gaines reposted a photo on X, formerly Twitter, from the Minnesota State High School League's account.
"Meet Champlin Park, the Class AAAA Softball State Champion for 2025," the post read. In response, Gaines said: "Comments off lol. To be expected when your star player is a boy."
Multiple outlets reported that transgender athlete Marissa Rothenberger is a pitcher on the team.
At the time of publication, Gaines' post garnered 33.1 million views, 98,000 likes and over 5,900 comments.
(L) Simone Biles celebrates after finishing her routine during the Artistic Gymnastics Women's Vault Final on day eight of the Paris Olympic Games at the Bercy Arena on August 3, 2024 in Paris, France. (R)...
(L) Simone Biles celebrates after finishing her routine during the Artistic Gymnastics Women's Vault Final on day eight of the Paris Olympic Games at the Bercy Arena on August 3, 2024 in Paris, France. (R) Riley Gaines visits "The Megyn Kelly Show" at the SiriusXM Studios on May 20, 2024 in New York City. More;Biles reacted to Gaines' message on X, writing: "@Riley_Gaines_ You're truly sick, all of this campaigning because you lost a race. Straight up sore loser."
She added: "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!! But instead... You bully them... One things for sure is no one in sports is safe with you around!!!!!"
Her post had 54.1 million views, 263,000 likes and 73,000 comments.
Biles was referring to Gaines' 2022 race with the University of Pennsylvania athlete Lia Thomas, a trans woman. They tied for fifth place in the 200-yard freestyle, and Gaines testified in Congress about fairness in women's sports.
"Bully someone your own size, which would ironically be a male @Riley_Gaines_," Biles hit back in a separate post.
"This is actually so disappointing," Gaines said in response. "It's not my job or the job of any woman to figure out how to include men in our spaces. You can uplift men stealing championships in women's sports with YOUR platform. Men don't belong in women's sports and I say that with my full chest."
"And the subtle hint at 'body-shaming'???? Plzzzz I'm 5'5," the conservative political activist said. Biles is 4-foot-8.
Biles later apologized for her remarks, telling her 1.9 million followers on X that she's "always believed competitive equity & inclusivity."
"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 said. "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 Biles apology. "She's still the greatest female gymnast of all time," she said.
On June 13, Skinner—who was a former teammate of Biles at the Tokyo Olympics—weighed in on their social media exchange in a statement to One America News.
"As an athlete who has dedicated years to a sport, I've always believed that true competition should elevate us—not diminish others. That's why 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 later doubled down on her remarks about Biles in an interview with FOX News on June 16.
"Throughout my career, there's been many times where I have been belittled and bullied by Simone and have wanted to keep quiet for the other athletes," the 28-year-old alleged. "I stand by Riley and for the amazing way that she is helping athletes to fight for women."
Newsweek reached out to Biles' representative via email for comment on Wednesday.
What People Are Saying
The Biggest Loser star Jillian Michaels wrote on X: "@Simone_Biles While many appreciate your opinion maybe it's time to discuss the facts? If you are so confident have the courage to debate @Riley_Gaines_ on this topic. Litigate this honestly and with integrity. I want to provide this forum. While I agree with @Riley_Gaines_ unilaterally I am confident I can maintain a neutral stance to moderate this conversation."
ESPN anchor Sage Steele said on X: "Easy to say this @Simone_Biles when you only had to compete against fellow women. Every one of your Olympic medals came competing against fellow women. @Riley_Gaines_ was not only forced to compete against a man, but forced to share a locker room with a man. THAT is SICK. Shocked and disappointed that you'd attack another woman who has done nothing but uplift other women. If YOU think it makes sense to create a league for trans people, go for it! Use that huge platform of yours! But to attack Riley for what she has done for little girls who want to be the next Simone Biles is........sick."
Conservative political commentator Tomi Lahren reshared a USA Today opinion piece on X: "Her greatness? She literally made fun of Riley Gaines' appearance!!! Yall fake stream media hacks really know how to stand up for real women, don't you?! Disgusting!!"
Gymnast Sam Phillips wrote on X: "This whole fight between Riley and Simone is NULL & VOID because the basis of the right's attack is that she would lose medals in the men's gym category when in reality, she would actually STEAL GOLDS from LOTS of the best Male floor and vault workers. So their base is FLAWED... And yes....also Null and Void because Riley G.B. is in fact an evil spirited, loser mentality, unreliable, misinformed, hateful person."
What Happens Next
Biles has not yet responded to Skinner's bullying claims.