Riley Gaines Addresses Simone Biles Dispute and Apology on “The Stephen A. Smith Show”

Former collegiate swimmer and OutKick host Riley Gaines joined Stephen A. Smith this week to discuss the online exchange with Olympic gold medalist Simone Biles that sparked a national conversation on transgender inclusion in women’s sports.

During her appearance on “The Stephen A. Smith Show,” Gaines detailed the backlash and eventual apology that followed Biles’ pointed comments about Gaines’ advocacy.

Smith largely agreed with Gaines throughout their discussion, declaring, “When you’re talking about women competing in sports against transgender women, I side with you one thousand percent… I think that’s absolutely the right thing to do.”

The conversation took a sensitive turn when Gaines invoked disgraced former Olympic doctor Larry Nassar, comparing the issue of trans women in women’s locker rooms to sexual abuse.

I wanted to follow up from my last tweets. I’ve always believed competitive equity & inclusivity are both essential in sport. The current system doesn’t adequately balance these important principles, which often leads to frustration and heated exchanges, and it didn’t help for me…

— Simone Biles (@Simone_Biles) June 10, 2025

“Does it get more perverted than standing in the shower, totally undressed, when a 6-foot-4 man approaches you… and watches you shower? … To me, that is sexual abuse,” Gaines said.

Smith initially hesitated but ultimately acknowledged the weight of Gaines’ personal experiences. “I can push back but I won’t even try… you made a very, very valid point. First of all, your personal experiences. Secondly, you’re a lady and I am not,” he told Gaines.

The dispute between Gaines and Simone Biles began when Gaines posted criticism of Minnesota high school softball player Marissa Rothenberg, a trans-identifying athlete who led her team to a state championship. Biles responded with a strong defense of trans athletes and, in the process, made personal remarks directed at Gaines.

Many observers felt Biles’ comments were at odds with her status as a role model in women’s sports. Gaines, who tied with trans athlete Lia Thomas in the 200-yard freestyle at the 2022 NCAA Division I Women’s Swimming and Diving Championships, described her reaction to Biles’ remarks: “When I got the notification, I was overwhelmed with excitement and starstruck… then I was heartbroken.”

@Riley_Gaines_ You’re truly sick, all of this campaigning because you lost a race. Straight up sore loser. You should be uplifting the trans community and perhaps finding a way to make sports inclusive OR creating a new avenue where trans feel safe in sports. Maybe a transgender… https://t.co/pjpzuZ0AlO

— Simone Biles (@Simone_Biles) June 6, 2025

Despite her respect for Biles’ achievements, Gaines stood firm in her advocacy. “I’m a secure person, and know what side of history I’m on,” she said.

The online controversy played out over the weekend, but by Tuesday, Biles’ team issued an apology. “It didn’t help for me to get personal with Riley, which I apologize for,” the statement read in part.