Riley Gaines and Simone Biles: Collaborating After Online Feud

Riley Gaines and Simone Biles collaborating on critical issues in sports? This intriguing possibility is on the table, as the former All-American swimmer expressed to TMZ Sports that she would “absolutely” be open to the idea of joining forces with the renowned gymnast.

This conversation arises in the context of a recent exchange between the two athletes on social media, which sparked considerable attention and debate. The interaction culminated with the seven-time Olympic gold medalist apologizing to the former University of Kentucky swimming star for previously comparing her physical attributes to those of a man, a remark made during the ongoing discussions about the participation of transgender athletes in youth girls’ sports.

In a recent conversation, we had the opportunity to speak with Riley, who is not only a passionate political activist but also the host of Outkick’s “Gaines For Girls” podcast. During our discussion, we explored her willingness to collaborate with Simone Biles on these pressing issues surrounding women’s sports.

When asked about her potential partnership with Biles, Gaines responded with enthusiasm, stating, “Absolutely,” without any hesitation, indicating her readiness to engage in meaningful discussions.

Gaines elaborated, sharing her admiration for Biles, saying, “Look, Simone is someone I’ve looked up to and respected for so long. She has made significant contributions to women’s sports, particularly in the field of gymnastics, and her impact extends even beyond that, influencing women in various areas of life.”

Riley proceeded to articulate her feelings about Biles’ recent comments, explaining why they were particularly disheartening to her and the broader community.

She expressed, “Her stance felt deeply visceral to me, not solely due to the personal attacks, but more importantly, because of how she leveraged her platform—a platform that young girls across the nation, including my younger sister who is a gymnast, look up to and aspire to emulate.”

Riley added, “In the blink of an eye, she effectively pulled up the ladder behind her. I believe this was done hastily, and there was a significant lack of understanding surrounding the issue when she initially tweeted about it on that Friday evening.”

Ultimately, Simone Biles issued an apology regarding the body shaming comments, and Gaines perceives a tremendous opportunity in the potential partnership with Biles to advocate for women and girls’ rights in sports.