Olympic gymnast Simone Biles has deactivated her X account following a heated exchange with former swimmer Riley Gaines regarding transgender athletes competing in women’s sports.

The deletion occurred on Sunday after several weeks of public disagreement between the two athletes.

The controversy began earlier this month when Biles criticised Gaines for her stance against transgender participation in women’s sports.

Gaines, who competed against transgender swimmer Lia Thomas during her NCAA career, has been vocal in opposing transgender athletes in female categories.

Olympic gymnast Simone Biles has deactivated her X account following a heated exchange with former swimmer Riley Gaines regarding transgender athletes competing in women’s sports

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Despite removing herself from X, Biles has maintained an active presence on Instagram.

On Monday, she shared a quote on her Instagram story that read: “Strength is what we gain from the madness we survive”.

The dispute originated three weeks ago when Gaines criticised a Minnesota high school softball team for competing with a transgender pitcher.

Biles responded on X, writing: “You’re truly sick, all of this campaigning because you lost a race. Straight up sore loser.”

Simone Biles was forced to issue an apology to Riley Gaines amid their row over trans athletes

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She told Gaines to “bully someone your own size, which would ironically be a male” and suggested creating “a transgender category IN ALL sports” rather than excluding transgender athletes.

Biles accused Gaines of making sports unsafe, stating: “One things for sure is no one in sports is safe with you around!!!!!”

Four days after her initial comments, Biles issued a public apology on X. She wrote: “I’ve always believed competitive equity & inclusivity are both essential in sport.”

The gymnast clarified she was “not advocating for policies that compromise fairness in women’s sports” but objected to “singling out children for public scrutiny in ways that feel personal and harmful.”

She emphasised that “individual athletes especially kids should never be the focus of criticism of a flawed system they have no control over.”

Gaines accepted Biles’ apology, responding: “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.”

The original dispute centred on Minnesota state softball champions Champlin Park, who won their competition with transgender pitcher Marissa Rothenberger.

Gaines had retweeted a team celebration photograph on X, writing: “Comments off lol. To be expected when your star player is a boy.”

Biles’ apology was shared on Instagram by her husband, Chicago Bears player Jonathan Owens. Days after the social media exchange, Gaines announced she is expecting her first child.