Riley Gaines reflected on her years-long journey to help protect female sports on Thursday, just days after she was in the White House with President Donald Trump while he signed an executive order banning males from female athletics.
Swimming for the University of Kentucky, Gaines and other female swimmers were forced to compete against a male swimmer named Lia (formerly Will) Thomas during the 2022 NCAA women’s swimming championship. Gaines and Thomas tied for fifth place in a race, but the trophy was given to only Thomas at the award ceremony. Gaines spoke about the NCAA’s actions and dedicated herself to advocating for female sports and athletes.
“I wish I could’ve told the girl in this photo what was to come in 2025,” Gaines posted on X, captioning a photo of herself next to Thomas at the tournament. “She felt cheated, betrayed, and violated. I’m just glad that girl…
