Simone Biles deletes X account following trans athlete controversy
- Riley Gaines criticized a high school softball team for having a transgender pitcher, prompting a response from Simone Biles.
- Biles called out Gaines for her comments and later apologized, emphasizing the need for inclusivity in sports.
- The conflict drew national attention, leading Biles to deactivate her X account amidst the backlash over the controversy.
In June 2023, a significant public feud erupted in the United States between Olympic gymnast Simone Biles and former swimmer Riley Gaines, focusing on the inclusion of transgender athletes in sports. The conflict began when Riley Gaines, known for her outspoken views against trans athletes competing in women's sports, criticized a Minnesota high school softball team that had a transgender pitcher. This led Simone Biles to respond, calling Gaines' comments 'truly sick' and challenging her to uplift the transgender community instead of bullying them. Biles also suggested creating a dedicated category for transgender athletes in sports. Despite their differing opinions, Biles later issued an apology, emphasizing her belief in the importance of competitive equality and inclusivity. In her statement, she acknowledged the complexities surrounding the issue and admitted that her personal remarks towards Gaines were unhelpful. Biles expressed the need for sports organizations to develop solutions that promote both inclusion and fair competition, rather than singling out individual athletes for their identities. This overture set a contrasting tone in the heated debate involving the treatment of transgender athletes. Following this exchange, Gaines accepted Biles' apology but continued to advocate for her stance on women’s sports being exclusive to biological females. The feud drew attention from various corners of the sports community, with opinions divided on whether transgender athletes should compete against cisgender women. Adding a personal touch to the situation, Gaines later announced that she was expecting a baby girl, which she used as a platform to highlight her position against Biles' comments. Eventually, in a surprising twist, Simone Biles made the decision to deactivate her X account after the public backlash over her involvement in the controversy. Although she removed her presence from that particular social media platform, she continued to communicate on Instagram, sharing motivational messages that some interpreted as reflective of her recent disputes with Gaines, showcasing the emotional toll and challenges surrounding discussions of inclusion in sports. The situation signals broader societal debates concerning gender identity and fairness in athletic competition, continuing to provoke strong reactions from supporters and opponents alike.