Political activist Riley Gaines has called on prominent female athletes, including Simone Biles and Caitlin Clark, to join her cause for women's sports following a recent Supreme Court decision that allows states to ban transgender athletes from participating in girls' and women's sports. The ruling, which upheld state laws, overturned lower court decisions that had challenged such bans.
Gaines, a former college swimmer, expressed a sense of vindication following the Supreme Court's decision. She stated that the ruling should serve as a "clarion call" to elite and professional female athletes to unite in advocating for women's sports. The activist, who gained notoriety after tying with transgender athlete Lia Thomas in a 2022 NCAA championship race, believes the decision is a positive step for the future of women's athletics.
MyKayla Skinner, a former Olympic gymnastics teammate of Simone Biles, has aligned herself with Gaines and supported the Supreme Court's ruling. Skinner, who has spoken about feeling bullied by Biles in the past, expressed her desire to ensure her own young daughter has the same athletic opportunities she experienced. Skinner urged Biles to stand with them in their advocacy, highlighting Biles's status as one of the world's top athletes.
This call to action comes more than a year after a public exchange between Biles and Gaines. The disagreement began when Biles criticized Gaines online for her stance against transgender athletes competing in women's sports. Biles had characterized Gaines as a "bully" and suggested that the activist was a "sore loser" for her campaign, referencing the race against Lia Thomas. Biles also advocated for inclusivity and exploring avenues for transgender athletes in sports, even proposing a transgender category.
In the wake of the online dispute, Biles issued an apology on X, stating that she believed in competitive equity and inclusivity but acknowledged that the current system struggles to balance these principles. She apologized for making personal remarks toward Gaines. While Gaines accepted the apology at the time, she has continued to criticize Biles's views.
Gaines's activism has garnered support from political figures, including former President Donald Trump, who signed an executive order aimed at restricting transgender athletes in women's sports. The activist's stance has also drawn criticism from various groups and individuals who advocate for transgender inclusion in sports.