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Original poster

Simone Biles attacks Riley Gaines

784 replies

ItsCoolForCats · 07/06/2025 09:59

Simone Biles has come out in defence of males in women's sports, and has attacked Riley Gaines for fighting against it. She said on Twitter:

"@RileyGaines
You’re truly sick, all of this campaigning because you lost a race. Straight up sore loser. 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!!!!!"

So, so disappointing. Both my daughters do gymnastics and are huge SB fans, so it is awful for her to show such contempt towards RG, who is fighting for a level playing field for women and girls in sport. And to suggest a separate category as if nobody has ever thought of that and tried it 🤦🏻‍♀️

https://x.com/Riley_Gaines_

OP posts:
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19
Coatsoff42 · 07/06/2025 10:43

I don’t mind a high profile twitter spat where both parties want separate sports events for women.

Arran2024 · 07/06/2025 10:43

Is Biles seriously rubbishing athletes who don't win? Is she in such an elite position that coming 5th in an event deserves scorn and ridicule, to the point where you are not supposed to take part in public life and presumably crawl under a stone instead?

She has shown herself to be wholly unpleasant with this comment. Then the body shaming. So disappointed she has done this.

Original poster
ItsCoolForCats · 07/06/2025 10:40

PermanentTemporary · 07/06/2025 10:30

What @NautilusLionfish said. Simon Biles is saying what many GC people are saying - we need to find a way for sport to be inclusive, maybe a transgender category would work. I don't personally agree with that idea but it's a completely normal one here, why is anyone kicking her for it? As a truly extraordinary champion who has experienced endless racism Biles has every right to her opinion. Gaines has a good case about Lia Thomas of course but has chosen to sign up with a full rightwing programme that I don't agree with either.

Ok, well why hasn't it been done then? Having a female category is the inclusive measure, because the biological differences between men and women means that women and girls are at a disadvantage in sport when they have to compete against men and boys. The female category needs to be ringfenced and protected, and this is what people like RG are fighting so hard to do.

Protect the female category, and let men figure out how to make sport more inclusive for other gender non-conforming males.

RG highlighting these cases.may seem like bullying to some, but how else are we suppose to highlight the egregious harm that is being done to women's sport? We can't do it by staying silent.

OP posts:
Maaate · 07/06/2025 10:40

I did see a comment saying that account is a fan run account and not SB herself - don't know how true that is though.

Theeyeballsinthesky · 07/06/2025 10:37

I would have thought after all the appalling sexism and racism Biles has suffered which often takes the form of suggesting she is male that she should be the last person to post this

bully someone your own size, which would ironically be a male @RileyGaines

(also I think gaines is around 5ft 5 so no not male sized at all!)

BundleBoogie · 07/06/2025 10:37

PermanentTemporary · 07/06/2025 10:30

What @NautilusLionfish said. Simon Biles is saying what many GC people are saying - we need to find a way for sport to be inclusive, maybe a transgender category would work. I don't personally agree with that idea but it's a completely normal one here, why is anyone kicking her for it? As a truly extraordinary champion who has experienced endless racism Biles has every right to her opinion. Gaines has a good case about Lia Thomas of course but has chosen to sign up with a full rightwing programme that I don't agree with either.

You appear to have missed the nasty attack on RG s appearance and unfounded accusations of bullying?

RedToothBrush · 07/06/2025 10:34

The solution is that males are males and can already compete in male competitions.

BundleBoogie · 07/06/2025 10:34

NautilusLionfish · 07/06/2025 10:18

She didn't say no one has thought about it. She is not saying let transwomen in women's sport. She is saying let's find a solution. Am sure Biles is reacting because Riley's comment relates to a young person and she knows her MAGA crew will be on this young person like hounds. Riley may have legitimate concerns about transwomen in women's sports but her Maganess. And Gaines is against anyone speak about how black women are sidelined in American sports (like basketball) and the privilege of white women in sports. So yeah I can understand Biles' comments front that angle

You appear to be saying that RG ‘asked for it’ - re. that r to rely personal attack by SB.

Was that your intention?

LittleBearPad · 07/06/2025 10:34

PermanentTemporary · 07/06/2025 10:30

What @NautilusLionfish said. Simon Biles is saying what many GC people are saying - we need to find a way for sport to be inclusive, maybe a transgender category would work. I don't personally agree with that idea but it's a completely normal one here, why is anyone kicking her for it? As a truly extraordinary champion who has experienced endless racism Biles has every right to her opinion. Gaines has a good case about Lia Thomas of course but has chosen to sign up with a full rightwing programme that I don't agree with either.

Trans women don’t want a transgender category. That would involve accepting they aren’t women.

OP posts:
PermanentTemporary · 07/06/2025 10:30

What @NautilusLionfish said. Simon Biles is saying what many GC people are saying - we need to find a way for sport to be inclusive, maybe a transgender category would work. I don't personally agree with that idea but it's a completely normal one here, why is anyone kicking her for it? As a truly extraordinary champion who has experienced endless racism Biles has every right to her opinion. Gaines has a good case about Lia Thomas of course but has chosen to sign up with a full rightwing programme that I don't agree with either.

Original poster
ItsCoolForCats · 07/06/2025 10:29

NautilusLionfish · 07/06/2025 10:18

She didn't say no one has thought about it. She is not saying let transwomen in women's sport. She is saying let's find a solution. Am sure Biles is reacting because Riley's comment relates to a young person and she knows her MAGA crew will be on this young person like hounds. Riley may have legitimate concerns about transwomen in women's sports but her Maganess. And Gaines is against anyone speak about how black women are sidelined in American sports (like basketball) and the privilege of white women in sports. So yeah I can understand Biles' comments front that angle

She is claiming that RG advocates for fair sport for women because she is a 'sore loser'. It's pathetic. And why is it up to RG to come up with a solution to the problem of males in women's sports? Because there is an obvious solution. Protect the female category and leave it alone, and let men and sporting bodies and the trans lobby come up with ways to make sport more inclusive for trans athletes.

OP posts:
AzurePanda · 07/06/2025 10:29

@NautilusLionfish black women are sidelined in basketball? Aren’t over 80% of players in the WNBA women of colour?

When has Riley spoken out against black women raising concerns about their sporting participation?

Original poster
ItsCoolForCats · 07/06/2025 10:23

AzurePanda · 07/06/2025 10:15

I’m so upset to read this, I’ve been a huge admirer of Biles.

And yes of course no biological male is going to succeed in high level female gymnastics which is why there aren’t any I guess.

Same, as we've always cheered on SB in this house.

Here she is doing a skills comparison with a male gymnast:

The differences between the abilities of male and female bodies couldn't be more apparent, so it is astounding that she has shown such a lack of awareness of the issues RG is trying to highlight.

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OP posts:
NautilusLionfish · 07/06/2025 10:18

She didn't say no one has thought about it. She is not saying let transwomen in women's sport. She is saying let's find a solution. Am sure Biles is reacting because Riley's comment relates to a young person and she knows her MAGA crew will be on this young person like hounds. Riley may have legitimate concerns about transwomen in women's sports but her Maganess. And Gaines is against anyone speak about how black women are sidelined in American sports (like basketball) and the privilege of white women in sports. So yeah I can understand Biles' comments front that angle

Theeyeballsinthesky · 07/06/2025 10:18

So so disappinted to see this from biles. And also

Original poster
ItsCoolForCats · 07/06/2025 10:17

Apart from the fact that it's a horrible thing to say, commenting on Riley Gaine's size makes no sense as she is 5 foot 5

OP posts:
Mochudubh · 07/06/2025 10:16

Wow, that is truly nasty. From a woman who, up till now, has been such an inspiration to girls and young women. Shame on you, Simone.

AzurePanda · 07/06/2025 10:15

I’m so upset to read this, I’ve been a huge admirer of Biles.

And yes of course no biological male is going to succeed in high level female gymnastics which is why there aren’t any I guess.

BettyFilous · 07/06/2025 10:14

SB speaks from a point of privilege as its unlikely that a biologically male body could compete in female gymnastics successfully.

I thought the same. How disappointing.

OrangeAndPistachio · 07/06/2025 10:13

@MsTamborineMan absolutely. You only have to watch Nile Wilson attempting a women's floor routine to know that it's unlikely that even an elite man can compete.

GargoylesofBeelzebub · 07/06/2025 10:13

Simone Biles has spoken out many times about body shaming and then body shames another athlete?!!! Shameful.

lcakethereforeIam · 07/06/2025 10:10

Bloody hell! Bile indeed.

MsTamborineMan · 07/06/2025 10:10

Why are women expected to fight for everyone else's rights?

If transgender people want to fight for their own category of sports they can absolutely go ahead. It's not up to women to accommodate males in their category or campaign for their rights.

Absolutely right that's she's pulling up the drawbridge now her career is over.

Also in gymnastics men's and womens are quite different, it's less like that a male trained gymnast would be able to transition and beat Simone Biles, as there's just different events. Compared to something like swimming where as a woman you've got no chance even if your top of your field. I doubt Simone would be so damming if a mediocre man had come along and beaten her

sanluca · 07/06/2025 10:10

Wow, that is so nasty. And what is the saying again: play the ball, not the person? Biles is demonstrating very aptly that she has no arguments why some men should be allowed to play in a sports category they are not eligble for so resorts to making fun of a womans appearance.

Bte very telling that Biles competes in a sports where sex segregation will never be undone as male hips are not made for female gymnastics, whereas Gaines lost medals to a man.