Thawing tensions between Simone Biles and Riley Gaines could give way to an alliance, according to the former University of Kentucky swimmer.
Speaking with TMZ, Gaines said she would ‘absolutely’ welcome a partnership with her former online sparring partner despite their recent friction.
‘Look, Simone is someone I’ve looked up to, I’ve respected for so long,’ the 12-time NCAA All-American told TMZ. ‘She has done so much for women’s sports, of course, for the sport of gymnastics, but even broader than that for women in general.’
Biles has not commented about a potential partnership with Gaines on gender issues in sports. Daily Mail has reached out to her representatives for comment.
The seven-time Olympic gold medal winner recently issued an apology to Gaines after comparing the swimmer’s body to a man’s during an online debate over transgender athletes in female sports.
‘[Biles’] stance felt so deeply visceral to me not because of the personal attacks, but more so again because of how she used her platform, a platform where young girls all across the nation, young girls like my little sister, who’s a gymnast, look up to her,’ Gaines told TMZ.
Thawing tensions between Simone Biles and Riley Gaines (pictured) could give way to an alliance, according to the former University of Kentucky swimmer
Biles has not commented about a potential partnership with Gaines on gender issues in sports
‘In the blink of an eye, she effectively pulled up the ladder behind her,’ she added. ‘And again, a way that was, I think, done in haste. I think there was a lot of ignorance to the issue when she issued her initial tweets on that Friday evening.’
Gaines has become synonymous with the issue of transgender athletes in female sports.
She famously tied for fifth with transgender swimmer Lia Thomas in the 200-yard NCAA freestyle championship in 2022. Since then, she’s become an outspoken critic of non-binary athletes in girls and women’s competitions.
Now a podcast host for Outkick, Gaines recently criticized a Minnesota softball team that featured a transgender pitcher.
In response, Biles lashed out at Gaines, calling her views ‘truly sick’, before getting personal and telling her to ‘bully someone your own size, which would ironically be male.’
That comment led Gaines to reference Biles’ abuser, former Olympic gymnastics doctor and convicted pedophile Larry Nassar.
‘All the horrific sexual abuse @Simone_Biles witnessed and spoke out against caused by one man, yet believes women should be forced to strip naked in front of men to validate the man’s feelings,’ Gaines wrote on X. ‘You know how many gold medals you’d have if your “inclusive” dream came true? Zero.’
Gaines famously tied for fifth with transgender swimmer Lia Thomas at an NCAA final in 2022
Biles has since issued an apology following days of intense online criticism from Gaines supporters.
‘I wanted to follow up from my last tweets. I’ve always believed competitive equity & inclusivity are both essential in sport.
‘The current system doesn’t adequately balance these important principles, which often leads to frustration and heated exchanges, and it didn’t help for me to get personal with Riley, which I apologize for.’
Gaines replied: ‘I accept Simone’s apology for the personal attacks including the ones where she body-shamed me. I know she knows what this feels like.
‘She’s still the greatest female gymnast of all time. A couple of things. Sports ARE inclusive by nature. Anyone can and everyone SHOULD play…’
