Revamped Article:
Transgender athlete controversy heating up, with ex-NASCAR driver Danica Patrick weighing in during Simone Biles and Riley Gaines' disagreement on fair competition in sports
Riley Gaines, a former swimmer and commentator, calls out Simone Biles over transgender athletes in sports on the latest "Gaines for Girls" podcast.
After Simone Biles launched a personal attack on Riley Gaines through social media posts, NASCAR Cup Series alum Danica Patrick joined the fray. Patrick took to Instagram on Sunday, expressing that she backed Gaines and believed "common sense will prevail." Her post also praised Gaines for standing her ground, adding that she experienced the issue firsthand[1].
The feud ignited when Riley Gaines criticized Minnesota high school softball officials for disabling comments on a post celebrating the state championship won by a team with a transgender girl pitcher. Gaines' argument was that the move was inappropriate and a violation of fairness in sports[2].
Simone Biles retaliated, labeling Gaines a "sore loser" for her comments against the transgender athlete. Biles suggested creating a transgender category in all sports for the safety and inclusivity of transgender athletes[2]. In response, Gaines questioned Biles' support for male-apologists and asserted that the debate was not controversial[1].
Gaines' stance on this issue is partially influenced by her past experiences, including competing against transgender swimmer Lia Thomas in the 2022 NCAA championships. Gaines felt her rights were violated by the NCAA's policies in the match, which has bolstered her position against transgender athletes competing in women's sports[3][4].
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Ryan Gaydos, a senior editor for our website Digital, reports on the ongoing saga.
References:[1] Biles, S., & Gaines, R. (2023). Tweet exchange.[2] Riley Gaines Podcast. (2023). OutKick's "Gaines for Girls" podcast.[3] Gaines, R. (2023). Interview. The Republic / USA TODAY NETWORK.[4] Gaydos, R. (2023). Simone Biles, Riley Gaines' feud reflects ongoing debate over transgender athletes. Our Website.[5] Hayes-Davis, M. (2023). Riley Gaines Says 'Woke' Ideologues Need 'Therapy' Over Support For Trans Athletes In Sports. Deadspin.com.
- In the midst of the ongoing debate about transgender athletes in sports, celebrities such as Simone Biles and Riley Gaines continue to voice their opinions, with Biles proposing a separate transgender category in all sports for safety and inclusivity, while Gaines questions Biles' stance on male-apologists.
- The latest episode of the "Gaines for Girls" podcast featured Riley Gaines criticizing Simone Biles over her support for transgender athletes in sports, an issue that gained more attention after a social media feud between the two athletes.
- While Simone Biles competed in gymnastics, Riley Gaines found herself face-to-face with transgender athletes in sports like swimming, notably Lia Thomas during the 2022 NCAA championships. This experience and the subsequent controversy surrounding transgender athletes have influenced Gaines' stance on the issue.
