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Gauff finds inspiration in the seats — in the form of Simone Biles

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Simone Biles and Coco Gauff

NEW YORK — On a night when Coco Gauff

shed plenty of tears and had her mental fortitude tested, she looked up to the crowd in Arthur Ashe Stadium and found some much-needed inspiration in the seats.

Simone Biles, with her 11 Olympic medals and indomitable spirit, indirectly helped the American World No. 3 power through on a night when her serve was undependable yet again.

“I saw her and, honestly, I don’t know if she’s still up there, but she helped me pull it out,” Gauff said during her on-court interview after defeating unseeded Donna Vekic

7-6 (5), 6-2 in the second round of the US Open. “I was just thinking, if she can go on a six-inch beam and do that with all the pressures of the world, then I can hit the ball in this 75 … I don’t know how big this court is.

“But I saw her late in the second getting interviewed by ESPN, and it brought me a little bit of calm just knowing her story, with all the things she went through mentally. She’s an inspiration, surely, and her presence definitely did help me today.”

Biles did, indeed, stay until the match ended — we wouldn’t expect anything less from the legendary gymnast — and blew kisses to to the French Open champion after the callout. She also shouted “I love you!” The moment predictably prompted a rousing applause in Ashe.

It was a tale of two sets for Gauff, who committed seven double faults and was broken four times in the first set. She appeared emotionally drained, but hung tough to force a deciding tiebreak, which she narrowly won.

She served more solidly and consistently in the second set, and wasn’t broken once, to secure the straight sets win and advance to the third round.

After the match, the 21-year-old American reflected on why Biles means so much to her. More than just her otherworldly athletic ability, it’s the seven-time gold medalist’s mental toughness and resilience that Gauff finds so admirable.

“She’s the greatest, one of the greatest athletes,” the third seed told reporters. “It’s her and Serena for me on my Mount Rushmore of athletes. I think everything that she went through on the mental side of things in the sport, it’s something I follow closely and try to learn from.

“To see her there tonight kind of gave me a reminder that I needed. I was lucky to — actually [I] just came from talking to her, so I was able to tell her that in person.”

Gauff will play 29th-seeded Magdalena Frech

on Saturday for a spot in the fourth round. The American has won both of their matches, though they haven’t played since May of 2024.

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Gauff thanks gymnast Biles for support in US Open tennis plight

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Simone Biles and Coco Gauff

Gymnast Simone Biles provided some inspiration to Coco Gauff during a tough second-round match at the US Open, and after Gauff won, she was thrilled to get the chance to chat with the Olympic star.

Biles was in the Arthur Ashe Stadium stands for Gauff’s 7-6 (5), 6-2 victory over Donna Vekic on Thursday night.

During her on-court interview, Gauff thanked Biles for being there and providing a boost – then delivered the message face-to-face.

Gauff, a 21-year-old from Florida who has two Grand Slam titles, said the thought of Biles doing her job on a balance beam gave her confidence to know she could perform on a tennis court.

“She helped me pull it out,” said Gauff, who wiped away tears several times during and following the match. “It brought me a little bit of calm just knowing her story with all the things she went through mentally.”

Gauff said Biles is on her Mount Rushmore of athletes, along with Serena Williams.

During an interview on ESPN’s telecast of the match, Biles said Gauff was the reason she returned to Flushing Meadows.

“She’s incredible, amazing and it’s like a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity,” Biles said. “It’s just such a privilege to watch her on home soil and watch ‘Black girl magic.’”

Biles won four gold medals and one silver at the 2024 Paris Games, three years after pulling out of some events at the Tokyo Olympics because of a mental block – known in the gymnastics world as “the twisties” – that made her afraid to attempt certain dangerous moves.

Gauff said she’s a fan of Biles for “everything she went through on the mental side of things of the sport, something that I followed closely and tried to learn from”.

“To see her there tonight kind of gave me a reminder that I needed,” Gauff said.

Biles praised Gauff for her grace and humility and empathised with the decision to hire biomechanics coach Gavin MacMillan to help with her serve.

“As she gets older and matures, and now (that) she’s an adult, she gets to make these type of decisions that’s best for her career, so I’m supportive 100 percent, because I know what that’s like,” Biles said. “To see her take ownership of her career, of the court and all of that is just amazing to watch.”

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Simone Biles leaves Jonathan Owens alone in the middle of preseason and

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Simone Biles and Jonathan Owens

Simone Biles leaves Jonathan Owens alone in the middle of preseason and heads to Australia with someone else

The NFL preseason is heating up, and Chicago Bears safety Jonathan Owens has been doing his part to help his new team build momentum.

While Owens was making noise on the field, his wife, Olympic gold medalist Simone Biles, was stirring up attention thousands of miles away.

Instead of cheering from the stands like she did during the team’s preseason opener on August 10 against the Miami Dolphins, Biles was soaring above the clouds en route to Sydney, Australia.

Biles teased the mystery trip in a series of Instagram stories. One featured a photo of her passport and another person, captioned, “Where are we going??!!” Her next post revealed a scenic view from an airplane window, flying above snowcapped mountains, with the caption: “USA ?????” But somewhere between takeoff and touchdown, the secret got out: Biles had landed in Sydney.

Sisters take Sydney while Owens stays focused in Chicago

Joining Simone on her international adventure was her sister, Adria Biles. In a mirror selfie shared to Instagram, the sisters posed in coordinated travel outfits, Simone in an all-black crop top and wide-leg pants, Adria in a blue jumpsuit and casual sneakers.

Both rocked sleek, straight hairstyles and a relaxed vibe. Simone captioned the photo “Twin Travels,” and Adria reposted it on her own page, joking, “outfits and hair not planned if we go.”

Inside the plane, Biles also posted a cheeky shot of herself holding a glass of clear liquid with the words “send help” scribbled around the rim, possibly poking fun at long-haul flight fatigue. Though she hasn’t shared full details of the trip just yet, it’s clear the Biles sisters are taking time to explore Sydney together while Owens remains in full preseason mode.

Owens didn’t play in the Bears‘ preseason opener against the Dolphins but has since been active and impactful. His performance against the Bills helped showcase his value on defense as he continues to settle into his role in Chicago’s secondary.

With the NFL season fast approaching, Owens is laser-focused on making an impression with his new squad.

Meanwhile, Biles is squeezing in quality time with family before the grind of her gymnastics commitments picks up again. With the Olympics looming next year and her training schedule sure to intensify, a brief trip to Australia might be just the breather she needs.

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Simone Biles Appears To Delete Twitter Account After Transgender Beef With

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Simone Biles and Riley Gaines

Simone Biles Appears To Delete Twitter Account After Transgender Beef With Riley Gaines

U.S. Olympic gold medalist Simone Biles, who has 1.9 million Twitter/X followers, has seemingly deleted her profile following the intense transgender feud against OutKick’s Riley Gaines, host of “Gaines for Girls.”

Twitter/X users started sharing screenshots Sunday of Biles’ account leading to an error message, and this is how word got around that she may have nuked the account entirely.

The beef sparked up after Biles came at Gaines for wanting to keep transgender (biological male) athletes out of female sports.

“@Riley_Gaines_ You’re truly sick, all of this campaigning because you lost a race. Straight up sore loser,” posted Biles earlier in June.

“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 thing’s for sure is no one in sports is safe with you around!!!!!” Biles said.

This led to even more personal attacks from Biles, including comparing Gaines to a man. But we all know the story: Biles ended up backtracking on her transgender support and issuing an apology to Gaines, giving the conservative activist the victory in their beef.

But it appears that none of Biles’ public relations moves have worked, and that has resulted in her now deleting her Twitter account.

Riley Gaines issued the following response on the matter:

Talk about getting thrashed … like damn, how do you lose a beef this bad?

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Simone Biles drops one line on Hailey Bieber-and the Internet loses its mind

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Simone Biles

Simone Biles has evolved from world-class gymnast to full-fledged celebrity. Once a starstruck teen tweeting about Beyoncé, she’s now the center of attention for both sports and entertainment elites-frequently seen interacting with A-listers like Justin and Hailey Bieber.

Many still recall the 2016 MTV VMAs, when the U.S. gymnastics team, led by Biles, presented the award for Best Female Video to Beyoncé. Simone later took to social media to gush, “Q U E E N B,” channeling her inner fangirl.

Fast forward nine years, and the tables have turned. At the Paris 2024 Olympic Games, stars like Tom Cruise, Arianna Grande and Lady Gaga packed the Bercy Arena to cheer on Biles during her fourth Olympic appearance. Today, Simone proudly counts her former idols as friends.

Simone and the Biebers: A social media moment

On Saturday, August 16, Hailey Bieber posted a carousel of selfies to Instagram with the cryptic caption, “well… yes!” The post quickly went viral, racking up 1.4 million likes and over 5,000 comments.

Among the replies was a striking message from Simone Biles herself: “YOU ARE WHO YOU THINK YOU ARE.” The empowering comment instantly caught users’ attention, sparking a wave of reactions.

If anyone doubted Biles’ influence, her comment’s traction says it all-2,600 likes and 30 replies, some of them sparking debate. It’s a testament not only to her friendship with the Biebers but also to her cultural clout.

The Olympic champion has long expressed admiration for Justin Bieber, and now Hailey too. That admiration has blossomed into a genuine friendship that plays out regularly on social media. Not bad for a girl from Ohio who, just over a decade ago, tweeted: “I’m so obsessed with Justin Bieber’s album.”

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‘I would love to add to the collection’: Simone Biles eyes Emmy gold for Netflix’s ‘Rising’

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Simone Biles

With three gold medals and a silver from the Paris 2024 Olympic Games, Simone Biles proved her return to gymnastics was nothing short of GOAT status. Now, the most-decorated gymnast in history is on the quest for more gold — this time, an Emmy. Netflix hosted a Simone Biles Rising FYC event at Stella restaurant in West Hollywood, where Biles and series director Katie Walsh mingled with a few dozen Television Academy members before sitting down for an intimate dinner.

The docuseries, nominated for Best Documentary or Nonfiction Series at the 2025 Emmys, chronicles Biles’ journey after she withdrew from the Tokyo 2020 Olympics due to the “twisties,” a dangerous mental block that affects gymnasts midair. Four years later, in Paris, she reclaimed her spot atop the podium — but not without a scare. During the qualification round, Biles suffered a calf injury that threatened her quest for more gold. She ultimately pushed through the pain to win gold in the women’s team event, individual all-around, and vault, plus a silver in floor exercise.

The project has already earned industry accolades, including a PGA Award for Best Sports Program and two Critics Choice Documentary Awards for Best Sports Documentary and Best Limited Documentary Series.

Speaking with Gold Derby ahead of the dinner, Biles called the Emmy nomination “surreal.”

“I couldn’t believe it, and I don’t think I processed what they were actually telling me until afterwards,” she recalled. “They worked so hard to portray this film as close to my life as possible. I was shocked — but I would’ve been more shocked if we didn’t do it.”

Walsh recalled being alone in her office after she heard the news.

“I took a deep breath and found myself getting teared up,” she said. “This project has been so special because Simone is so special. I couldn’t ask for a better person to go through this with.”

While Biles has plenty of Olympic medals, the Emmy race is a new kind of competition. Asked if she’d swap one of her medals for a golden statuette, she laughed, “Unfortunately, I would not swap one of my medals, but I would love to add to the collection.”

Filming the road to Paris — including the injury scare —required care and trust. Walsh recalled the tension of waiting for test results in the Olympic village. “At one point, I sat for three hours next to a giant dumpster, waiting to hear if Simone was okay,” she said. “It was so hot, and we were so stressed. But every day, rules changed on whether we could even be there, so we stayed calm and adapted.”

Biles said having the crew around those high-pressure moments was actually comforting. “They’re like family now,” she said. “I didn’t really see the cameras — I saw them as supporters, part of my support system. Since my family couldn’t be there, it was nice knowing Katie was coming that day.”

Walsh said one of the goals of Rising was to address the misconceptions that followed Biles after Tokyo. “There were so many voices criticizing Simone who didn’t understand her experience,” Walsh explained. “We wanted to educate people and show that while you may not relate to flipping through the air, everyone has struggles in their life.”

For Biles, Netflix’s reach made it the right platform for such a personal project. “Behind the scenes, people don’t get that inside view,” she said. “We wanted to take them through the whole process — the good days and the bad days — and make it feel real and raw. And with Netflix being global, it means everyone has the opportunity to watch.”

The Paris chapters were particularly intense for Walsh, who was editing episodes in real time while traveling. “Every day we filmed, then at night we uploaded footage to L.A., gave notes, and got new cuts the next morning,” she said. “I set up an office in the back of a production van because traffic was crazy. I slept, but I never rested for three and a half weeks.”

Biles has since developed an interest in producing and hopes other athletes will tell their stories. “Elite athletes, what we do isn’t normal,” she said. “When you watch, you feel that connection through the screen. I’d love to do more of this and tell other athletes’ stories.”

Her advice to the next generation of athletes is simple but hard-earned: “Always be brave. Always be kind because you never know what people are going through behind the scenes. It’s okay to take a break, to pause, to recollect your thoughts … to rise again. Everyone’s journey is unique. Go out there and write your own story.”

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Simone Biles going for gold again, but not in gymnastics: Could she

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Simone Biles 

Simone Biles going for gold again, but not in gymnastics: Could she really win an Emmy?

Olympic champion Simone Biles’ Netflix docuseries earns an Emmy nomination, highlighting her journey beyond the gymnastics floor.

Simone Biles, widely regarded as the most decorated gymnast in history, is once again in the spotlight-but this time, it’s not for her athletic feats. In fact, she’s going for gold in another category: TV.

Her Netflix docuseries, Simone Biles Rising, has earned an Emmy nomination for Outstanding Documentary or Nonfiction Series, showcasing a side of Biles fans rarely see.

While the American has long dominated the gymnastics world with her unmatched skill and record-breaking achievements, this nomination highlights her impact beyond sports, emphasizing her story, resilience, and influence on mental health awareness.

Premiering in July 2024, Simone Biles Rising offers an intimate glimpse into her life leading up to the Paris 2024 Olympics.

What is the Simone Biles documentary about?

The series chronicles her return to competition after the Tokyo 2020 Olympics, where Biles faced the “twisties,” a dangerous mental block that forced her to withdraw from several events despite being a heavy favorite.

It captures both her struggles and her triumphs, portraying her as not just a champion athlete, but a person navigating intense public scrutiny, personal challenges, and the relentless demands of elite gymnastics.

In discussing the Emmy nomination, Biles expressed her surprise and gratitude, noting, “Thanks to my family at Netflix for the sweet gift. I still can’t believe we’re nominated for an EMMY for Simone Biles Rising.”

Her reaction underscores how significant this recognition is, marking a milestone that celebrates her storytelling abilities, not just her athletic accomplishments. The series allows audiences to see the vulnerability and humanity behind the medals, which resonates deeply with viewers and expands her influence far beyond the gymnastics arena.

Simone Biles

A story of resilience beyond the gym

Simone Biles Rising is more than a sports documentary-it is a testament to resilience, mental fortitude, and personal growth. By openly discussing her challenges, Biles has helped normalize conversations about mental health in athletics.

She reveals how difficult it was to step away from competition at Tokyo, acknowledging the pressure to perform despite the risks. Her openness has inspired athletes and non-athletes alike to prioritize mental wellness alongside professional goals.

The Emmy nomination reflects a growing appreciation for sports stories that go beyond physical feats, highlighting personal journeys that connect with a wider audience.

Biles’ series emphasizes that success is not only measured in gold medals but in the courage to overcome adversity and share that journey with the world. For Biles, this nomination is a form of validation for her willingness to be vulnerable on camera, bringing awareness to issues often overlooked in professional sports.

Winning an Emmy would be another groundbreaking achievement for Biles, reinforcing her role as a trailblazer not just in gymnastics, but across media and culture. Even the nomination alone broadens her platform, allowing her to advocate for mental health, inspire young athletes, and demonstrate that greatness extends beyond physical prowess.

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Simone Biles faces NFL backlash just months after viral moment: From fan favorite to fallout

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Simone Biles and Jonathan Owens

Just months ago, Simone Biles and Jonathan Owens were stealing hearts on the NFL sidelines with their viral pre-game handshakes and loving displays. Now, the Olympic gymnastics icon finds herself at the center of unexpected fan backlash.

On December 16, Biles lit up the NFL world with a heartwarming sideline moment ahead of a Chicago Bears game, sharing kisses and a now-famous handshake with her husband, Bears safety Jonathan Owens.

SportsCenter’s clip of the interaction went viral, and Biles was praised as the ultimate NFL WAG-so much so that fans dubbed her and Owens the “real MVP couple,” even over Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce.

But fast forward eight months to the Bears’ Family Fest practice on August 3, and the tone has taken a shocking turn. While Owens once again ran to greet Biles before the game, and the Bears’ official account posted a sweet video of the reunion, this time the internet wasn’t feeling the love.

Internet users turned their backs on Biles

Instead of praise, the comments section turned sour. Fans took direct shots at Simone Biles, with one calling her “overrated as a human being” and another asking, “She hasn’t been fully canceled yet?” The same woman who once represented the gold standard of sideline support is now being met with hostility, sarcasm, and indifference.

Some critics accused Biles of stealing attention, while others threw passive-aggressive shade over her lack of Bears gear. “She’s not even a real fan,” one commenter joked, pointing out her absence of team colors or memorabilia.

Biles vs. Gaines

Though the reasons for the sudden backlash aren’t entirely clear, many believe it may stem from her recent public feud with former NCAA swimmer Riley Gaines-a controversy that stirred passionate opinions across social media.

Once the darling of NFL fandom, Biles now faces a season where the spotlight feels more hostile than heartwarming. As the Bears gear up for kickoff, it’s clear the crowd’s cheers for Simone have turned into cold stares-and this time, there’s no handshake sweet enough to fix it.

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I Tried Simone Biles’s Favorite Activewear

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Simone Biles

When it comes to athleticwear, I trust Simone Biles over almost anyone. She’s an 11-time Olympic medalist, after all. Her standards have to be sky-high (just like her double pike vault), and her clothing has to perform under serious pressure. So the fact that Biles has been an Athleta partner since 2021 and wears the brand constantly (from the red carpet to workouts and everywhere in between), was inspiration enough to put it to the test. To do so, I spent an entire weekend wearing nothing but Athleta, and here’s what I learned: the hype is real, and Biles’s loyalty to the brand? Completely justified.

While I consider myself fairly active — I love a good sweat session and clock a weekly 5K — I wanted my outfits to serve more than just “fitness girlie.” I wasn’t sure if Athleta had that kind of range (spoiler: it does), but while browsing, I was genuinely impressed by the variety: mesh shirts, relaxed joggers, stretchy tube tops, matching sets, and sporty windbreakers all caught my eye. With so many options, I decided to primarily focus on the Transcend collection, which features the brand’s softest and lightest fabric.

My goal was to push the limits of what I thought athleticwear was capable of and to feel confident wearing it in a variety of settings. Athleta not only delivered, it also filled gaps in my wardrobe I didn’t even know existed.

Meetings and Matcha

The Transcend High Rise 7/8 Legging is a certified cult-favorite, so I immediately added two pairs to my cart (one in black and one in truffle brown). The Transcend Open Back Tee is Biles’s personal favorite piece from the brand, so I made sure to snatch one of those as well. Together, these two pieces inspired my Friday look. I layered the Terry Crop Crew Sweatshirt for backup because overly aggressive A/C is my kryptonite, then elevated my outfit with ruffle socks, a suede shoulder bag, and gold jewelry.

I spent the morning and afternoon working from the library, taking video calls, and eventually headed to a coffee shop to grab lunch and matcha lattes with a friend. It was a hot day and I walked everywhere (5.1 miles to be exact), so I braced myself for sweat stains and, if we’re being honest, some less-than-ideal body odor. But the moisture-wicking properties and airflow of the VitaFree fabric must be magic because I felt as fresh as ever after this long, active day. My clothing didn’t smell even a little bit, which is a huge win in my book. Not only that, I also felt stylish and comfortable the entire day — polished enough to take calls with clients and relaxed enough to sit at a desk for an extended period. And when it was time to get up and get moving, I didn’t miss a beat.

Dinner and Dancing

On Saturday, I had dinner plans downtown, followed by a late-night concert. While athleticwear sounded ideal in theory (hello, comfort and support), standard gym gear wasn’t going to cut it at some of the trendier spots on my list. Enter: Athleta’s Apero Mesh Tank. This top was a best-of-both-worlds solution that combined both performance and polish. It gave me the softness and stretch I love in performance wear, but with the sleek, nightlife aesthetic I was ultimately going for. I paired it with the Transcend High Rise 5″ Short for full range of motion on the dance floor, then leveled up my look with heels, bangles, and a statement necklace. The result felt cool, elevated, and unexpected.

That night solidified for me that Athleta is more than just a fitness brand. Each piece is extremely fluid and can effortlessly be dressed up or down. I felt comfortable and stylish wearing this look out on the town, but I could just as easily see myself wearing it to a yoga or spin class. I’m already picturing the tank with jeans or joggers for a more casual vibe. What I loved most about this look though was that thanks to the shorts’ enhanced LYCRA® fiber and the mesh tank’s breathability, I danced all night long without worrying about sweat stains, body odor, or feeling restricted. I was living for this fashion-meets-function moment.

Barre and Brunch

My Sunday called for a fitness look I could continue wearing long after I left the studio. The Transcend Square Neck Crop Sports Bra was perfect for my low-impact barre workout and made me feel just as cute during my post-class brunch as I did on the mat. Once again, the Transcend High Rise 7/8 Legging came through with its versatility and buttery soft feel. Each piece moved with me, offering a second-skin feel so weightless, I almost forgot I was wearing anything at all. To make the look feel more styled and less “fitness focused,” I added a few accessories: ruffle socks, a patterned tote, and oval sunglasses. Together, they pulled the outfit together in a way that felt intentional.

After dressing like Simone Biles for a weekend, I’m officially rethinking what performance wear can look (and feel) like. Athleta’s modern approach to activewear impressed me — but what stood out just as much was what the brand stands for. Its mission is to empower women and girls to build confidence, strength, and a sense of belonging through movement (aka the POWER OF SHE) — and that’s exactly what this clothing did for me. No wonder Biles is such a loyal fan.

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Simone Biles apologizes to Riley Gaines, argues for ‘competitive equity and

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Simone Biles

Simone Biles apologizes to Riley Gaines, argues for ‘competitive equity and inclusivity’ in women’s sports

Olympic gold medalist Simone Biles apologized to former college swimmer Riley Gaines after the two engaged in a verbal back-and-forth on X on Friday.

In a post Tuesday, Biles apologized for not showing “empathy and respect” in a tweet where she ripped Gaines for the former swimmer’s stance on transgender athletes.

In her post, Biles said she believed “competitive equity and inclusivity” are essential in sport. She said she did not want to advocate for policies that “compromise fairness in women’s sports.” Biles added that she took issue with Gaines singling out a child in her post.

Biles ended her post by saying:

“Individual athletes — especially kids — should never be the focus of criticism of a flawed system they have no control over. I believe sports organizations have a responsibility to come up with rules supporting inclusion while maintaining fair competition. We all want a future for sport that is fair, inclusive, and respectful.”

Biles and Gaines engaged in a verbal back-and-forth on X on Friday after Gaines attacked Minnesota’s high school interscholastic governing body for allowing a transgender girl to compete in the girl’s state softball tournament. Champlin Park, with the transgender girl on the mound, won the state 4A championship 6-0. Biles responded to that tweet, calling Gaines a “sore loser” and a “bully.”

Simone Biles

Gaines — a former swimmer at the University of Kentucky — became a public figure in 2022, when she argued against the inclusion of transgender women participating in women’s sports after she tied for fifth with transgender swimmer Lia Thomas at a meet.

Gaines has continued to lobby for that cause, and appeared in a video on the United States Department of Health and Human Services website in February which argued against allowing transgender women to participate in women’s sports.

Gaines responded to Biles’ post Friday, calling it “disappointing.” Over the weekend, Gaines tweeted or shared at least 15 tweets mentioning Biles.

Shortly after Biles’ post, Gaines responded to Biles’ post.

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