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American political conservative activist Riley Gaines rose to fame for being a vocal advocate against the participation of transgender athletes in women's sports. Most recently, Gaines was involved in an online war of words with American gymnast Simone Biles regarding the issue. Gaines is also a prominent supporter of President Donald Trump, who passed an executive order banning transgender athletes from competing in women's sports. Before kickstarting her political career, however, Gaines was a competitive swimmer at collegiate level.
Riley Gaines represented the University of Kentucky for four years during her collegiate career. She became a highly decorated athlete, earning 12 All-American honors while competing in the NCAA Championships. She also earned multiple Southeastern Conference (SEC) titles, most notably winning 3 individual gold medals in the 200-yard freestyle and 200-yard butterfly. Gaines set program records in multiple events, and also broke the SEC meet and conference record in the 200-yard butterfly with a time of 1:51.51.
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Gaines was named SEC Women’s Swimming and Diving Scholar-Athlete of the Year in 2022 for her performances, becoming the fourth athlete from the University of Kentucky to win it. She was a two-time team captain, and also earned the Sullivan Award in her final year for displaying leadership qualities. Gaines also became an Olympic trials qualifier during her collegiate career.
Gaines competed at the 2022 NCAA Championships where she tied for fifth place with transgender athlete Lia Thomas in the 200-yard freestyle, which marked her highest career individual finish at the national championships. She also received honorable mentions after competing in the 200 fly, 400 medley relay, and 800 free relay.
Riley Gaines retired from competitive swimming following the end of her collegiate career in 2022. After Lia Thomas received a fifth-place trophy and she did not, Gaines would become one of the most prominent advocates against transgender athletes competing in women's sports.
Riley Gaines was called out by Simone Biles after her comment on a transgender athlete
The online clash between Riley Gaines and Simone Biles began when Gaines criticized a Minnesota High School softball player, Marissa Rothenberger, referring to her as a boy. The Olympic gymnast took to X, where she wrote:
“You’re truly sick, all of this campaigning because you lost a race. Straight up sore loser. You should be uplifting the trans community and perhaps finding a way to make sports more inclusive OR creating a new avenue where trans feel safe in sports. Maybe a transgender category in ALL SPORTS!! But instead… You bully them…. One thing for sure is no one in sports is safe with you around!!!!!”
Following this comment made by Biles, the pair have been engaged in a public feud with Gaines responding with comments of her own.
