Riley Gaines and Lia Thomas remain central figures in one of the most discussed chapters in recent NCAA sports history. The controversy dates back to the 2021–22 swimming season, when Thomas, a transgender woman who previously competed on the Penn men’s team, became eligible to race in the women’s division.
Her participation, and later her national championship win in the 500-yard freestyle, ignited a nationwide debate about competitive fairness, inclusion, and the future of women’s sports.
Gaines, who swam for the University of Kentucky, was one of the athletes directly competing in that environment. She tied with Thomas for fifth place in the 200-yard freestyle at the 2022 NCAA Championships.
This week, the story resurfaced after a former Kentucky teammate of Gaines spoke about the issue on Pablo Torre’s show, Pablo Torre Finds Out. She maintained her anonymity but expressed support for the transgender athlete in question and shared how the situation appeared from her perspective inside the team.
“We’re all very comfortable being naked. People don’t usually cover themselves with towels to change or like go in bathroom stalls or anything like that,” the anonymous former swimmer said. “But any of the times I would see her in there, you know, she’s like wrapped in her towel.” (From 32:00)
“She’s turned around not facing anyone, I felt bad for her. I was like, she didn’t ask to be put in this environment with these people and treated this way. She just wanted to come and swim.”
The voice of a teammate provided a reminder that not all athletes involved felt the same way and that experiences varied within the locker room. The resurfacing of this angle has revived discussion online, bringing renewed attention to the original NCAA events and the broader dispute surrounding transgender participation in women’s sports.
What Riley Gaines Advocated For?
Riley Gaines built her platform around advocating for what she describes as the protection of competitive fairness in women’s sports. After the 2022 season, she became involved in campaigns pushing organizations and lawmakers to restrict participation in female categories to cisgender women.
She joined lawsuits against the NCAA, supported state-level legislation limiting eligibility for girls’ and women’s sports, and spoke at congressional and state hearings.
Her advocacy emphasised concerns about physical advantages tied to male puberty, the impact on competition results, and the experiences of female athletes sharing locker-room spaces with transgender competitors.
Gaines became one of the most visible voices opposing the participation of transgender women in women’s categories. Her stance grew into full-time activism, legal involvement, and public commentary across major media platforms.
Read More:
Is James Cook Playing This Week? Fantasy Outlook and Latest Update on Bills RB Ahead of Week 10
College Sports Network has you covered with the latest news, analysis, insights, and trending stories in college football, men’s college basketball, women’s college basketball, and college baseball!
