Simone Biles, the gymnast lauded as America’s role model for resilience, recently claimed the “Best Championship Performance” honor thanks to her stellar all-around gold win at the 2024 Olympics. However, during her acceptance speech, Biles did not shy away from making remarks that sparked controversy.

“That was very unexpected, especially in a category of all men. So thank you guys so much,” she said with a laugh.

ESPN of course loved the moment:

Simone Biles is HER ⭐ pic.twitter.com/UlxxGdSryf

— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) July 17, 2025

“Simone Biles is HER.” What exactly does that even mean? Clearly, they think demeaning female athletes is something to be celebrated.

What might have been seen as a lighthearted jest was, in reality, a clear jab at Riley Gaines, a former standout swimmer from Kentucky, and others who oppose the inclusion of biological males in female sports categories. Back in June, Biles had notably criticized Gaines on social media for her vocal stance against practices deemed as unfair towards women athletes.

@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