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The latest statement comes after a weekend of intense online exchanges between the two prominent athletes
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Olympic gymnastics champion Simone Biles has issued a public apology to political activist Riley Gaines following their heated social media confrontation over transgender athletes competing in women's sport.
The 11-time Olympic medallist posted a lengthy statement on X on Tuesday, acknowledging that she "didn't help for me to get personal with Riley, which I apologise for."
The apology came after a weekend of intense online exchanges between the two prominent athletes that began when Gaines, 25, commented on a Minnesota high school softball team's state championship victory.
Biles, 28, had initially responded to Gaines with sharp criticism, but has now clarified her position on the complex debate surrounding competitive fairness and inclusion in sport.
Gaines accepted the apology on Tuesday, welcoming Biles to join efforts supporting fair competition for female athletes.
The dispute began last week when Gaines reacted to news about a Minnesota high school softball team winning a state championship with a transgender pitcher on the roster.
When Gaines noticed that comments on the post had been disabled, she wrote: "To be expected when your star player is a boy."
Biles responded forcefully to Gaines' comment, stating she was "truly sick."
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The seven-time Olympic gold medallist escalated the confrontation with a follow-up message, telling Gaines to: "Bully someone your own size, which would ironically be a male."
The exchange quickly gained traction across social media platforms, drawing widespread attention to the ongoing debate about transgender participation in women's sport.
Gaines, who competed against transgender swimmer Lia Thomas in 2022, has become a prominent voice advocating for what she describes as fairness in women's sport.
In her Tuesday statement, Biles addressed the challenge of balancing "competitive equity" and "inclusivity" in sport.
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"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," Biles wrote.
She emphasised that her objection was specifically to "singling out children for public scrutiny in ways that feel personal and harmful."
"Individual athletes—especially kids—should never be the focus of criticism of a flawed system they have no control over," Biles stated.
The gymnast clarified she was "not advocating for policies that compromise fairness in women's sports" but believed sports organisations must develop rules that support inclusion whilst maintaining competitive fairness.
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"These are sensitive, complicated issues that I truly don't have the answers or solutions to, but I believe it starts with empathy and respect," she added.
Gaines expressed disappointment in Biles following the initial exchange, writing: "This is so disappointing. My take is the least controversial take on the planet. Simone Biles being a male-apologist at the expense of young girls' dreams? Didn't have that on my bingo card."
The controversy drew support for Gaines from former NASCAR driver Danica Patrick, who posted on Instagram on Sunday: "This issue has a shelf life. I truly believe common sense will prevail. But until then, I am grateful for people like Riley Gaines who are making sure no one gets away with it. Not to mention the fact that she actually lived it."
Speaking on her "Gaines for Girls" podcast on Outkick, Gaines suggested the exchange had damaged Biles' reputation.
"In just two tweets, Simone Biles basically tarnished her reputation to anyone with a shred of honesty," Gaines stated.
Gaines responded to Biles' apology on Tuesday, stating: "I welcome you to the fight to support fair sports and a future for female athletes. Little girls deserve the same shot to achieve that you had."
The acceptance of the apology marked a notable shift from Gaines' earlier podcast comments suggesting Biles had "incinerated her legacy in just two tweets."
Biles concluded her statement by expressing hope for sport's future, writing that she envisioned one, "that is fair, inclusive, and respectful."
The resolution of the public dispute between the two athletes comes amid ongoing debates in the US about policies governing transgender participation in competitive sport at various levels.
