Team USA gymnast Simone Biles has faced intense backlash this weekend amid a social media feud with activist Riley Gaines.
Biles and Gaines clashed after the former swimmer mocked a high school softball team in Minnesota for fielding a boy as their “star player” and winning a state championship on Friday.
The comment drew a response from the gymnast, who called Gaines “truly sick” for what she considered to be bullying kids, while claiming transgenders should be protected and allowed to participate against biological females without scrutiny or at least have their own division.
Biles would also suggest that Gaines should bully someone her own size, adding that they would be a male.
“bully someone your own size, which would ironically be a male @Riley_Gaines_,” she wrote.
bully someone your own size, which would ironically be a male @Riley_Gaines_
— Simone Biles (@Simone_Biles) June 6, 2025
Social Media Accuses Simone Biles Of Body Shaming Fellow Female Athlete
Many people on social media took exception to Biles’ comment and accused her of stooping to a surprising new low.
“So, body-shaming someone is now a mark of ‘greatness’?” a user asked after USA Today praised Biles for her comments.
“Not only did she betray women’s sports today, but she also stooped to body shaming/bullying another woman,” another added.
“Body shaming a remarkably fit and beautiful @Riley_Gaines_ in defense of male abuse of women in sports sure is a disgusting way to go,” said a third.
“Female body shaming is a new low. Former gymnast and shortie here 🙋🏼♀️, so I guess that qualifies as being able to call you out for your bad behavior. Do better,” someone else wrote.
Gaines continued posting into Saturday, but Biles had maintained silence as of the time of writing.
