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Chile, folks were tussling in the internet streetsbut it looks like peace has finally been restored. Simone Biles and Riley Gaines officially called a truce after their messy back-and-forth over the hot-button issue of transgender athletes in womens sports. The drama had the timeline in a chokehold for days, but now both ladies are stepping backand stepping up with apologies and acceptance.
On Tuesday, in a detailed post on X, Simone Biles addressed the situation, stating, I wanted to follow up from my last tweets. Ive always believed competitive equity & inclusivity are both essential in sport. The Olympic athlete continued by acknowledging that “the current system doesnt adequately balance” these principles, leading to frustration and heated exchanges. Additionally, Biles apologized for making the situation personal and emphasized the importance of empathy and respect in such sensitive discussions.
Meanwhile, Riley Gaines addressed Biles’ apology on X, mentioning, “I accept Simone’s apology.” Gaines also included details on her stance, discussing the nature of sports and competition, and “empathy and compassion” for girls. Finally, Gaines concluded, “I welcome you to the fight to support fair sports and a future for female athletes.”
Social media was split down the middle over the Biles vs. Gaines falloutsome folks were praising Simone for promoting empathy and inclusivity, while others said she fumbled with her statement. Users took to The Shade Room’s Instagram comment section to share their thoughts.
One Instagram user @paypaysoulstah added, “I love Simone biles she can do no wrong”
Instagram user @amberjohnice wrote, “Apologized for what????”
This Instagram user @allurinqgoddess said, “you aint even have to apologize because why she put you in it !”
While, Instagram user @prettii.privileged commented, “This is why im never the bigger person ”
And, Instagram user @snipertrades_fx wrote, “Too late. Dont care. Your true colors showed”
Finally, Instagram user @_q.b__1of1 said, “Not her still attacking her and saying she accepts her apology in the same sentence ”
Lets rewind the tape real quick. It all popped off when Riley, a former college swimmer known for her stance against trans women competing in female sports, shaded a Minnesota high school softball team for winning a state championship with a transgender pitcher on the roster. Riley tweeted, To be expected when your star player is a boy. But Simone wasnt having it. A few days ago, the Olympic GOAT came off the beam and right into the convo, calling Rileys comment truly sick.
Riley and Simone were already going back and forth online, but Riley took it way left when she brought up Simones past trauma with former USA Gymnastics doctor Larry Nassar, who was sentenced to 60 years behind bars after assaulting multiple young girls. Simone bravely testified against him in 2021, but that didnt stop Riley from throwing major shade. On X, she questioned how Simone could support trans women in female spaces, even accusing her of backing a world where girls undress around transgender men. Then she really crossed a line by saying if Simones inclusive dream came true, she wouldnt have any gold medals.
