A Championship Moment Turns Into a Debate
Champlin Park High School recently celebrated its win as the 2025 Class AAAA Softball State Champion. A photo shared on social media captured the team’s excitement—players smiling, medals around their necks, and a championship plaque held proudly.
However, the celebration soon sparked debate online.
Riley Gaines Weighs In
Former collegiate swimmer Riley Gaines commented on the team photo, suggesting that one of the players was not biologically female. Her post drew strong reactions across social media, with many users expressing disagreement with her remarks.
Simone Biles Responds
Olympic gymnast Simone Biles responded directly to Gaines’s post, expressing disappointment and urging more support for inclusivity in sports. Biles encouraged Gaines to consider advocating for separate athletic categories and voiced concern that some of Gaines’s public comments might contribute to a less inclusive environment.
Gaines Replies
Gaines replied via Instagram, saying that Biles’s comments misrepresented her views. She reiterated her stance on maintaining women’s categories in sports and emphasized that her advocacy is focused on fairness and safety.
Gaines also referenced past criticism Biles faced regarding body image, saying she found the exchange ironic given past experiences with similar issues.
Ongoing Advocacy Efforts
Since tying in a 2022 NCAA race with Lia Thomas, a transgender swimmer, Gaines has become active in discussions surrounding transgender participation in women’s sports. She now works with a national advocacy group that promotes single-sex sports categories and has spoken at various public and legislative events.
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