Riley Gaines Responds to Simone Biles’ Personal Attack: “I Almost Feel Bad for Her”

In a surprising escalation of tension between two high-profile American athletes, former NCAA swimmer Riley Gaines has responded to what she describes as a “personal attack” from Olympic gymnast Simone Biles — and her reaction has left many stunned.

Gaines, known for her outspoken advocacy on fairness in women’s sports, addressed comments made by Biles during a recent podcast appearance in which the gymnast allegedly criticized Gaines’ activism as “divisive” and “rooted in exclusion, not equality.” Biles did not name Gaines directly, but her remarks were widely interpreted as a veiled reference to the former swimmer, who has become a central figure in the national debate surrounding transgender athletes in women’s sports.

Speaking during an interview on Monday, Gaines broke her silence on the matter.

“I almost feel bad for her,” Gaines said. “To me, it sounds like she’s been pressured into making a statement that aligns with certain narratives, even if it goes against the reality many female athletes are facing today.”

Gaines went on to say she respects Biles as an athlete but is disappointed by what she sees as a lack of understanding and empathy for women competing under increasingly challenging conditions.

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“Simone is one of the greatest gymnasts of all time. That’s not even up for debate. But greatness doesn’t exempt you from being held accountable for your words — especially when they dismiss the concerns of thousands of women who have trained their whole lives for fair competition.”

This isn’t the first time Riley Gaines has been at the center of controversy. Since competing against Lia Thomas, a transgender swimmer, in 2022, Gaines has become a vocal figure in political and sports circles, often invited to speak at congressional hearings and rallies. Her critics have accused her of fueling division and politicizing sports, while her supporters argue that she is standing up for fairness and biological reality.

Simone Biles, on the other hand, has long maintained a relatively apolitical public profile. Her recent comments mark a rare foray into cultural debates, and while they have garnered support from progressive circles, they’ve also sparked criticism from fans who believe her remarks were tone-deaf.

Social media quickly erupted following Gaines’ response, with some calling her remarks “gracious but firm,” while others accused her of trying to escalate the situation.

One user on X (formerly Twitter) wrote, “Riley Gaines didn’t have to come for Simone like that — she’s punching down.” Another replied, “She didn’t ‘come for’ anyone. She responded. Calmly. With facts. And without hostility.”

Despite the mounting media attention, Gaines insists her goal has never been to personally attack any athlete, including Biles.

“This isn’t about Simone Biles. This is about every young girl who wakes up at 5 a.m. to train, dreams of a scholarship, and plays by the rules — only to be told her space isn’t sacred anymore.”

She ended her interview with a pointed message: “I invite Simone to actually sit down with some of these young women and hear their stories. Maybe then we can have a real conversation, woman to woman.”

As of now, Simone Biles has not publicly responded to Gaines’ comments.

With public opinion increasingly split, the controversy serves as yet another flashpoint in a larger cultural clash over the future of competitive sports — and who gets to define fairness.

Whether this exchange between Gaines and Biles will escalate further remains to be seen. But one thing is certain: the conversation around women’s sports, identity, and equality is far from over.