Simone Biles Publicly Shamed Fellow Athlete Riley Gaines—Now, Tensions Are Exploding Behind the Scenes! Is the Apology Enough?

In a shocking turn of events that has rocked the sports world, Olympic champion Simone Biles is at the center of a fierce controversy that has divided athletes and fans alike. What began as a public Twitter spat with swimmer Riley Gaines has escalated into a full-blown scandal, with accusations of bullying, public shaming, and a clash over the very essence of fairness in women’s sports.

But what has transpired off-camera could be even more explosive than what we’ve seen so far.

The Viral Clash That Sparked It All

It all started when Riley Gaines, a former NCAA swimmer, commented on a Minnesota softball team’s trans player, writing, “Comments off lol. To be expected when your star player is a boy.” While her statement was directed at the inclusion of a trans athlete in women’s sports, it quickly caught the attention of one of the biggest names in athletics—Simone Biles.

Biles wasted no time in confronting Gaines. On her X (formerly Twitter) account, Biles responded: “@Riley_Gaines_ You’re truly sick, all of this campaigning because you lost a race. Straight-up sore loser.” She continued, “You bully them… One thing’s for sure is no one in sports is safe with you around!!!!!”

The viral post set off a firestorm of responses, with many athletes and fans jumping to the defense of both sides. However, one voice that would soon become a pivotal force in this drama was none other than gymnast and fellow competitor, Skinner.

Skinner’s Explosive Response—Is Silence No Longer an Option?

In a stunning statement to One America News, Skinner—a respected athlete in her own right—broke her silence, publicly speaking out against Biles’ viral comments. “Throughout my own career, I endured being belittled, dismissed, and ostracized behind the scenes by Simone,” Skinner said. “The pressure to stay silent was immense. I kept quiet out of respect—for the sport, for my teammates, and for the ideal of unity among athletes. But witnessing this kind of public shaming, especially from someone in a position of influence, makes that silence no longer acceptable.”

The words sent shockwaves through the sports world. Skinner’s open criticism revealed a deeper conflict, one that wasn’t just about the public spat between Biles and Gaines, but about the broader issues facing women’s sports—issues of fairness, inclusion, and the treatment of athletes who dare to speak out.

The Backlash: “Bullying” and “Sore Loser” Accusations

Biles’ comments didn’t sit well with many in the athletic community. Skinner, who has built her career on the values of fairness and respect for competition, was particularly outraged by Biles’ labeling of Gaines as a “sore loser.”

“As an athlete who has dedicated years to a sport, I’ve always believed that true competition should elevate us—not diminish others,” Skinner explained in her statement. “That’s why it’s deeply troubling to see @Simone_Biles publicly label a fellow female athlete a ‘sore loser’—simply for expressing valid concerns about fairness in women’s sports.”

Skinner wasn’t the only one upset. Several women in sports came to Gaines’ defense, rallying behind her for speaking out about what they see as a pressing issue in women’s athletics: the inclusion of transgender athletes in female-only competitions. To many, it’s a question of fairness—one that goes beyond personal views on gender and focuses on the integrity of the sport.

Skinner also praised Gaines for standing her ground in the face of Biles’ criticism. “I commend and appreciate @Riley_Gaines_ for having the courage to speak up,” Skinner said. “Women like her are not only standing for fairness, but for the future of female athletics itself. She deserves support—not ridicule.”

Simone Biles’ Apology—Is It Enough?

In an attempt to quell the growing backlash, Simone Biles posted an apology on June 10, stating that her earlier comments had crossed a line. “It didn’t help for me to get personal with Riley, which I apologize for,” Biles wrote. “The current system doesn’t adequately balance inclusion and fairness in sports, and the situation is made worse by frustration and heated exchanges.”

While Biles’ apology may have been seen as an attempt to mend fences, it has done little to undo the damage in the eyes of many athletes, including Skinner. For Skinner, the apology seems insufficient, especially given the years of tension she claims to have faced behind the scenes with Biles.

The Tension That Goes Beyond the Camera

Biles may have apologized for her public remarks, but Skinner’s statement suggests that the real issue runs deeper. According to Skinner, the problems with Biles were never just about this one moment in the spotlight. Rather, it’s about a larger pattern of behavior that has long gone unchecked. Skinner said, “The pressure to stay silent was immense. I kept quiet out of respect—for the sport, for my teammates, and for the ideal of unity among athletes. But witnessing this kind of public shaming makes that silence no longer acceptable.”

The idea that there are unresolved issues between Biles and Skinner behind the scenes adds a layer of complexity to this ongoing feud. Could there be more to this story than just one heated exchange on social media? Has the tension between these two athletes been building for years? And what does it say about the state of women’s sports when two of its most prominent figures are at odds over such a sensitive issue?

The Bigger Picture: Is Women’s Sports Under Siege?

What this conflict ultimately highlights is the increasingly complex landscape of women’s sports, where issues of fairness, inclusion, and identity are colliding head-on. As athletes like Riley Gaines push for stricter regulations on the participation of transgender athletes, others like Simone Biles argue for a more inclusive approach, calling for balance between inclusion and fairness.

As this debate rages on, Skinner’s words serve as a stark reminder of the deep divisions within the sports community. “No one should be punished for standing up for fairness and biological reality,” Skinner stated. “We should be lifting each other up—not tearing one another down for speaking hard truths.”

What’s Next? Will This Feud Have Lasting Consequences?

With both Simone Biles and Riley Gaines having made their respective positions clear, the question now becomes: where do we go from here? Can women’s sports ever find common ground on this contentious issue? Will Biles and Skinner’s behind-the-scenes tension continue to simmer, or will it finally come to a head in public?

While Biles may have apologized, the rift between her and Skinner is far from over, and the future of women’s sports may very well depend on how these prominent athletes navigate this increasingly polarized landscape.

In a world where every word can spark a storm, Skinner’s call for unity among athletes and Biles’ public apology mark just the beginning of what could be a much larger confrontation over the future of fairness in competition.

As we await more updates on this developing story, one thing is clear: women’s sports have never been more divisive—and the stakes have never been higher.