USA Gymnastics is facing intense scrutiny following Simone Biles’ critical remarks directed at Riley Gaines concerning trans athletes in women’s sports. Although Biles later expressed regret over her comments, the fallout has underscored shifting public sentiments around her and the organization itself.
Former gymnastics star Dee Wally voiced her disapproval of USA Gymnastics after discovering that its website, which previously outlined transgender athlete policies and resources, was currently unavailable. Wally, who was once a champion gymnast for Team USA, shared her concerns about the direction of the organization ahead of the 2028 Olympics, which the U.S. is set to host.
“It seems that leaders nowadays are less willing to stand firm,” Wally commented on the organization’s quiet distancing from inclusive policies. “When you don’t have a strong foundation, it’s easy to be swayed by the winds of change.”
Wally, who made her mark in gymnastics in the late 1980s and 1990s, highlighted that USA Gymnastics has lost its way in terms of strong leadership. “The organization appears to have a muddled stance on important issues,” she said. “It’s as if they’re trying to avoid confrontation instead of addressing it directly.”
Currently, several links to the organization’s policies on transgender eligibility are offline, raising questions about whether this move was intentional. One policy announcement from November 2020 stated that trans athletes would not be required to undergo surgery or hormone therapy for eligibility, but the link now leads to a 404 error page. Similar resources, including a PDF about transgender inclusion, are also no longer accessible.
Wally speculated that USA Gymnastics may soon revise its policy but doubted its effectiveness. “I suspect they will leave some loopholes in the language, making it vague enough to allow for changes later,” she remarked. “It doesn’t seem like they’re guided by principles, but rather outside pressures.”
Wally believes the organization’s current policies reflect a broader political shift toward inclusivity that began after the 2008 Beijing Olympics. Drawing from her experiences, she noted how strict the standards used to be. “Back in my day, being part of Team USA was about representing the country with integrity,” she reminisced. “That focus seems to have faded over the years.”
Wally also pointed to failures in athlete protections, particularly referencing Gabby Douglas’ treatment during the 2008 Games as a turning point. She contrasted that with recent changes in policies in other governing bodies within U.S. sports, which have faced backlash over allowing biological males to compete in women’s categories.
USA Fencing is in the midst of revising its gender eligibility policy in response to protests from female fencers opposed to competing against trans opponents. Their updated framework aims to ensure that the female category is only open to biological females.
Looking to the future, Wally hopes young gymnasts will advocate for their rights. “If female gymnasts are confronted with the reality of competing against those who are biologically male, I would encourage them to stand their ground,” she advised. “It’s essential for the governing body to support its athletes, rather than bending to external pressures.”
