Former racing star Danica Patrick has spoken out amid the growing online conflict between gymnast Simone Biles and women’s sports advocate Riley Gaines over the inclusion of transgender women in female sports competitions.
Patrick expressed firm support for Gaines, applauding her for speaking from firsthand experience and stating that she hopes “common sense will prevail” in the ongoing debate. Her remarks criticized what she described as irrational responses defending the current policies that allow trans women to compete in women’s categories.
The controversy began after Biles suggested creating new competition categories for transgender athletes, prompting Gaines to push back, arguing that female athletes should not be required to make room for biological males. The exchange quickly escalated, drawing attention from both supporters and critics across social media.
Patrick’s comments have added a high-profile voice to a heated national conversation about fairness, gender identity, and athletic competition, reinforcing how deeply divided public opinion remains on the issue.