13 Jun 2025, 18:28
Simone Biles Apologizes for Conflict with Riley Gaines
- Simone Biles apologized for her comments regarding Riley Gaines during a discussion about transgender athletes.
- She emphasized the importance of empathy and respect in sports matters, calling for fair rules.
- Criticism of her position from right-wing media continues, however, many supporters back her for defending a transgender child.
This was reported by Associated Press, The Guardian.
Simone Biles' Apology
Two-time Olympic champion Simone Biles apologized for her personal comments directed at former swimmer Riley Gaines. This occurred during an online discussion about the participation of transgender athletes in competitions.
Biles, who is the most decorated gymnast in history, initially reacted to a post by Gaines, in which she misidentified the gender of a transgender athlete from the Minnesota team. Biles wrote that Gaines was "really sick" and "just lost," but later retracted those words.
In subsequent posts, Biles explained that her outrage was directed at a system that puts athletes in difficult positions. She emphasized that singling out a teenager in this situation is unacceptable.
"These issues are sensitive and complex, and I lack the answers or solutions, but I believe everything starts with empathy and respect," she stated.
While Biles apologized for her personal comments, she reaffirmed her stance on the need for rules that support inclusion while maintaining fair competition. She called for a fair and respectful future for sports.
Despite her apology, criticism of Biles from right-wing media continued. Notable commentators condemned her for supporting transgender athletes, emphasizing that men should not compete in women's sports.
Many of Biles' supporters praised her for defending a transgender child from public attacks. The coach of the Minnesota team noted that this athlete is a great teammate.
In conclusion, Biles highlighted the importance of constructive discussions on sports issues without demeaning one another.
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