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Riley Gaines recently took a jab at American gymnast and multiple-time Olympic medalist Simone Biles, who criticized the former swimmer's stance on transgender athletes. Gaines has been a strong dissenter of transgender athletes competing in women's sports since 2022.
Recently, as Gaines criticized a transgender athlete for competing in the Softball State Championship, Biles threw shade at her while suggesting finding a way for inclusivity rather than "bullying" them.
"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!!!!!" Biles tweeted.
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Biles' comment did not sit well with the Gaines, who expressed frustration while asserting her stand.
"This is actually so disappointing. It's not my job or the job of any woman to figure out how to include men in our spaces. You can uplift men stealing championships in women's sports with YOUR platform. Men don't belong in women's sports and I say that with my full chest," Gaines wrote on X.
At the 2022 NCAA Division I Championships, the former University of Kentucky swimmer tied for fifth place in the 200-yard freestyle with transgender athlete Lia Thomas. Gaines was asked to pose for a picture with the sixth-place trophy while Thomas was awarded the fifth one. Since then, Gaines has advocated keeping women's sports open to biological females only.
Riley Gaines criticizes a transgender athlete for contributing to the team's effort in the State Softball Championship victory
Riley Gaines recently took a swipe at transgender pitcher Marissa Rothenberger for leading Champlin Park High School to Minnesota's State Softball Championships. Rothenberger competed in the quarterfinal and semifinal rounds and hit two doubles in the latter round to reach the finals. As the Minnesota State High School League announced the winner, Gaines took a dig while sarcastically providing her criticism.
"Girls’ sports in 2025: A 6–0 shutout. By a dude named Marissa. Backed 100% by Minnesota Dems. Progress!" she wrote on X.
Riley Gaines has consistently protested against transgender athletes competing in women's sports and also received praise from President Donald Trump when he signed the executive order banning transgender athletes in women's sports.
