USA gymnastics considering major shake up in the wake of Simone Biles’ trans feud

By ERIC BLUM

USA Gymnastics is reportedly considering changing its eligibility policies for transgender athletes competing in their events. 

The spotlight being on the governing body for American gymnastics comes amid a feud between the greatest gymnast of all-time, Simone Biles, and conservative commentator Riley Gaines, over the use of transgender athletes in women’s sports.

Biles and Gaines have been in a bitter feud over the topic since Friday, when the former swimmer remarked about a photo containing a transgender high school softball player. 

Biles response was long and harsh, and been panned by the public, forcing her to pull back on some of her comments in an apology. 

‘In May, USAG removed its policy to assess compliance with the current legal landscape,’ a statement from USA Gymnastics read to Fox News.

USA Gymnastics previous policies did not require transgender athletes to undergo any testing or therapy to compete. 

USA Gymnastics is considering changing its eligibility policies for transgender athletes

Any changes to their policy will come amid a feud between Simone Biles and Riley Gaines

Biles’ message to Gaines had been panned by the public, forcing her to pull back comments

That update to the USAG policy came in November 2020, the same month Joe Biden defeated Donald Trump to become the 46th President of the United States. 

Trump re-took the White House in January, with him announcing a ban on transgender athletes in women’s sports the next month.   

The feud between Gaines and Biles started after the college athlete who competed against Lia Thomas commented on a photo of a Minnesota high school softball player. That led to a furious response from the gymnast. 

Biles initial harsh jab at Gaines that set off the chain of events read, ‘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 category IN ALL sports!!’ 

Since her original comments, the Olympic gymnast broke her four-day silence by writing on X: ‘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 to get personal with Riley, which I apologize for.’

Gaines replied: ‘I accept Simone’s apology for the personal attacks including the ones where she body-shamed me. I know she knows what this feels like. She’s still the greatest female gymnast of all time. A couple of things. Sports ARE inclusive by nature. Anyone can and everyone SHOULD play…’ 

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USA gymnastics considering major shake up in the wake of Simone Biles’ trans feud

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