
Riley Gaines recently voiced her disagreement with Lia Thomas, the first transgender athlete to win a NCAA Division I Championship in women’s sports.

During the 2022 NCAA Swimming championships, Gaines and Thomas competed in the women’s 200-yard freestyle event, both finishing in fifth place with a time of 1:43.40. Despite this tie, only Thomas received the fifth-place trophy.

Since then, Gaines has become a strong advocate for women’s rights in sports and has actively opposed the participation of transgender athletes in women’s competitions.

In a recent interview with Sage Steele, she expressed her disapproval of Thomas, stating: “I would want him to know that his actions displayed an utter disregard for us, as women, which is, of course, what the women’s sporting category was created to protect and uphold and celebrate.”

Additionally, Gaines clarified that she holds no ill will towards Thomas, noting that Thomas was simply abiding by the regulations in place. “I would let him know that, look, I have no animosity towards him,” Gaines said.

“I really don’t. Like I don’t garner this hatred in my heart. Ultimately he was following the rules. It’s the rules that are the problem, and I would be sure to tell him that,” Gaines continued.

“I would be sure to tell him, look, love your life, be who you wanna be, don’t expect me to support it or affirm these delusions you have because you every much are a man, and that will never change. I would have no problem saying that to Thomas’ face.”

Riley Gaines has called on athletes to speak up before the upcoming NCAA meeting to address the issue of transgender athletes participating in women’s sports.

She also commented on the recent policy by NAIA that prohibits transgender athletes from competing in any NAIA women’s events.

“Calling all athletes, former athletes, collegiate athletes, high school athletes, what have you, we need you,” called Gaines. “You may have seen last week where the NAIA which is a National collegiate governing body voted overwhelmingly in support of preventing men from competing in women’s sports. The vote has 25 to nothing.”

Riley Gaines encouraged both athletes and parents to send emails, providing additional details about the procedure.

“The NCAA needs to be inundated by emails coming from girls and women or parents who would specifically be impacted or have been impacted by this movement at the hands of the NCAA.”
