Simone Biles fired back at a Twitter critic for “twisting my words” about abortion and foster care.
On Monday, the seven-time Olympic medalist asked fans to share their “unpopular opinions” so she could reveal her replies on her Instagram Story.
In response to an Instagram user who wrote, “abortion is wrong,” Biles acknowledged, “I already know this is going to start the biggest argument and may even lose followers.”
Despite that statement, she continued, “BUT I’m very much pro-choice. Your body. Your choice.
“Also for everyone gonna say, ‘Just put it up for adoption,’ it’s not that easy and coming from someone who was in the foster care system TRUST me foster care system is broken and it’s TOUGH especially on the kids and young adults who age out and adoption is expensive … I’m just saying.”
On Tuesday, Biles took to Twitter to clarify her previous comments after she said a critic misinterpreted the 24-year-old’s stance in a since-deleted tweet.
“DO NOT misconstrue my words. That is not at all what I implied,” Biles wrote in response to the tweet. It’s unclear what exactly was shared in the since-deleted message.
“I did NOT say I support to abort rather than to put them through the foster care system. What I did imply is that you should not control someone elses body/decision. Let’s be real what you care about is control…
“I have forever & will continue to support foster kids. AS I WAS ONE. I’ve been an advocate for foster kids and the system but you wouldn’t know that because you don’t follow me, you just like to open your mouth.
“Also if you have a fake account don’t even talk to me. Y’all piss me off to no end. I’m done because you’ll twist my words however it feels fitting to spew hate. Also if anyone is seeing this just know I support you doing whatever feels fitting for YOU.”
Biles has been open about her experience in the foster care system from ages 2 to 5. Her grandfather, Ron Biles, and his wife, Nellie, eventually adopted Biles and her three siblings.
“I know exactly how it is, and I know exactly how you feel being a foster kid,” Biles told USA Today in late July. “I can be a voice for them. I can help them, and I can tell them that they’re not alone and that it’s going to be OK. That you can also still be great in the world. Being in foster care isn’t going to be your only title.”
Biles’ tweets came days after she arrived home from the Tokyo Olympics, where she won a silver medal in the team all-around and bronze in the individual balance beam.
The Athleta-sponsered athlete dropped out of four of the five individual event finals at the Summer Games to prioritize her mental health. She also withdrew from the team all-around final.