Sat Jun 14 16:50:00 UTC 2025: **FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE**

**Simone Biles Apologizes for Heated Online Exchange with Riley Gaines**

MADRID, SPAIN – April 21, 2025 – Olympic gymnastics legend Simone Biles has issued an apology for a personal attack directed at former collegiate swimmer and anti-trans sports activist Riley Gaines during a recent online dispute.

The exchange occurred on the social media platform X after Gaines criticized a transgender player on a Minnesota high school softball team. Biles initially responded to Gaines’s post, calling her “truly sick” and a “straight up sore loser.” Biles, an 11-time Olympic medalist and considered the greatest gymnast of all time, later retracted those comments.

In a subsequent statement, Biles acknowledged that the current system governing sports participation struggles to balance competitive fairness and inclusivity. She admitted that discussions on this topic can be charged, leading to “frustration and heated exchanges.”

“It didn’t help for me to get personal with Riley,” Biles wrote.

Biles clarified that her primary concern was Gaines’ decision to single out an underage athlete who Biles contends has no control over the existing system.

Biles emphasized the need for sports organizations to develop rules that support both inclusion and fair competition. “I believe sports organizations have a responsibility to come up with rules supporting inclusion while maintaining fair competition,” Biles posted. “We all want a future for sport that is fair, inclusive, and respectful.”

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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