Simone Biles | Source: Getty Images
The Olympic gold medalist is facing backlash after replying to a post by a retired swimmer who made fun of a school for turning off comments while sharing their victory.
The Minnesota State High School League celebrated Champlin Park as the Class AAAA Softball State Champion for 2025 on X. In the photo shared, the team is seen smiling proudly on the field while holding a championship plaque, with each player wearing a medal around her neck.
A fan comments on Simone Biles’ response
The social media upload caught the eye of former U.S. swimmer Riley Gaines. She wrote, “Comments off lol. To be expected when your star player is a boy.”
The political activist’s post also drew a strong response from Olympic gymnast Simone Biles. She replied, @Riley_Gaines_ You’re truly sick, all of this campaigning because you lost a race. Straight up sore loser [sic].”
A fan comments on Simone Biles‘ response
Biles stated that Gaines should support the transgender community and work toward making sports more inclusive, possibly by creating a separate category where transgender athletes feel safe. Instead, she accused Gaines of targeting and bullying them, adding that no one in sports feels safe with her involved.
Gaines responded by expressing her disappointment, stating that it is not the responsibility of women to find ways to include men in female spaces. She emphasized that, in her view, men should not compete in women’s sports and stood firmly by her stance.
ollowing Gaines’ strong reply, many users on social media quickly voiced their opinions. A flood of comments soon filled the post, with people sharing mixed views on the heated exchange.
One user wrote, “Wow, this response is truly unbelievable and completely disappointing to read. […] Simone called Riley a bully but the words you’ve chosen, as an Olympian & role model, are disrespectful to her & rude.”
Another person added, “Disappointed to see this. But how easy it is to salt the earth behind you as you exit the sport and ensure future women won’t be able to achieve what you did.”
Others shared their dismay more directly, with one person saying, “And just like that, you are no longer a role model for little girls,” and another adding, “Sad what has become of you Simone. Very sad….”
Still, not everyone criticized her. One supporter commented, “You should be helping her ensure that women’s sports are for women. Anything else is deeply unfair.”
Another person expressed admiration for Biles, “I did not know it was humanly possible to respect someone more than I already respected you, you are just truly a class act! 100% of the time The Goat of Goats!”
