Danica Patrick Sides With Riley Gaines in Heated Dispute With Simone Biles Over Transgender Athletes in Women’s Sports

Former NASCAR and IndyCar star Danica Patrick has publicly thrown her support behind activist and former collegiate swimmer Riley Gaines in a growing controversy with Olympic gold medalist Simone Biles over the inclusion of transgender athletes in women’s sports.

In a social media post that quickly gained traction, Patrick praised Gaines for her “courage” in speaking out, while criticizing what she described as the “irrational” support for trans inclusion in female sports divisions. “I believe common sense will ultimately prevail,” Patrick added, aligning herself with a wave of athletes and public figures who have increasingly voiced concerns over competitive fairness.

The controversy erupted after Biles, responding to a viral clip of Gaines discussing her opposition to competing against transgender women, labeled the former swimmer a “sore loser.” Biles suggested Gaines’ activism stemmed from bitterness over losing to a trans athlete — a comment that ignited a storm of backlash and a spirited exchange online.

Gaines, who has become a prominent face in the debate over gender and athletics, responded by defending her record and questioning Biles’ commitment to fairness in competition. The dispute has since drawn wide media attention, as two of the most recognizable female athletes in the country square off over one of the most divisive topics in sports today.

Patrick’s entry into the conversation further amplifies the discussion, adding a high-profile voice from the world of motorsports to the cultural clash over identity, inclusion, and fairness in athletic competition. While Biles has not issued any further public comment, the exchange continues to stir fierce debate across social and traditional media platforms.

As the conversation intensifies, many are watching closely to see whether other prominent athletes will weigh in — and how the controversy might shape future policy and public perception around transgender participation in sports.