Simone Biles didn’t just clap back. She lit up the internet. After Riley Gaines criticized a Minnesota softball team’s victory, led by a transgender player, Biles responded with searing words that sparked a cultural firestorm. But while the world debated fairness in women’s sports, an Olympic reporter quietly shifted the spotlight to something else entirely. Biles’ unwavering support for those often left in the margins.
The feud between Gaines and Biles grabbed headlines, especially after Biles called Gaines “truly sick” and accused her of pushing an agenda rooted in resentment. She was referencing Gaines’ long-standing opposition to transgender athletes, notably stemming from her defeat to Lia Thomas in 2022. Biles, though, didn’t hold her combative tone for long. She later clarified that her intention wasn’t to advocate unfairness in women’s sports. The social media clash kept spiraling. But in the middle of all the noise, Scott Bregman brought a more personal narrative to light.
That shift came in Bregman’s post on X, where he recalled an experience from the 2018 World Championships in Doha. “In 2018 at the Worlds in Doha, while @Simone_Biles was dealing with a kidney stone (and competing!), she took the time and initiative to message me directly to make sure I felt comfortable and safe in a country where it is illegal to be gay,” Bregman wrote. His reflection offered a rare, quiet counterpoint to the chaos. Biles wasn’t just a star gymnast or an outspoken celebrity. She was also a consistent source of compassion behind the scenes.
Bregman’s words served as a powerful reminder of who Biles has been beyond the spotlight. While she’s known globally for her Olympic triumphs and bold statements, it’s moments like the one in Doha. When no cameras were rolling, that show a deeper truth. Even while battling pain, Biles looked out for someone who could have easily been forgotten in the frenzy of international competition.
And finally, on a personal note…
In 2018 at the Worlds in Doha, while @Simone_Biles was dealing with a kidney stone (and competing!), she took the time and initiative to message me directly to make sure I felt comfortable and safe in a country where it is illegal to be gay.
— Scott Bregman (@sbregman87) June 17, 2025
In a debate that’s become sharply divided, Scott Bregman’s story cuts through the noise. It reframes Simone Biles not as a polarizing figure in a headline war. But as someone who has long stood for girls, women, and those quietly fighting their own battles. Sometimes, support doesn’t come through a loud tweet. But in a quiet, direct message when it matters most. And this was not the only instance of Biles showing her support. Last year, she used her Paris triumph to advocate for women’s sports.
Simone Biles turns Olympic glory into a powerful stand for women in sport
For years, Simone Biles wasn’t just flipping through the air, she was flipping the script on what it means to be a woman in sport. Her triumph at the Paris Olympics was more than a medal-winning moment; it was a megaphone for equality. Biles didn’t just perform. But she paved the way, spotlighting women’s rightful place at the pinnacle of athletic excellence. With every routine, she defied outdated expectations, and in doing so, she became one of the loudest advocates for gender parity in sports.
Paris 2024 Olympics: Womens Balance Beam Final Team USA gymnast Simone Biles reacts during the Womens Gymnastics Balance Beam final competition at the 2024 Paris Summer Olympics, at the Bercy Arena in Paris, France, August 5, 2024. Paris France FRA NOxUSExINxGERMANY PUBLICATIONxINxALGxARGxAUTxBRNxBRAxCANxCHIxCHNxCOLxECUxEGYxGRExINDxIRIxIRQxISRxJORxKUWxLIBxLBAxMLTxMEXxMARxOMAxPERxQATxKSAxSUIxSYRxTUNxTURxUAExUKxVENxYEMxONLY Copyright: xAnthonyxBeharx Editorial use only
Speaking after her historic run in Paris, Biles didn’t hold back. “It was super exciting that, finally, 50% of the athletes at the Games were female,” she said, reflecting on the International Olympic Committee’s landmark move toward full gender equality in athlete participation. She stated, “We need women in sports. That number was so important as a demonstration to younger generations.” It wasn’t just about numbers. Rather, it was about changing the narrative. And Biles, always more than just a gymnast, has continually used her platform to amplify that shift.
Her advocacy wasn’t confined to the competition floor. As the IOC rolled out real-time, AI-powered tools to combat online abuse, a move partly driven by the alarming 87% of harassment targeting women during the Tokyo Games, Biles kept her focus on leading by example. By owning her voice and refusing to be sidelined, she redefined what it means to be a champion. In Paris, she didn’t just win medals. She rewrote the playbook for every girl watching.
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