Riley Gaines, the former collegiate swimmer who has become one of the most prominent conservative voices on transgender participation in women’s sports, is once again making headlines as she challenges new international athletics guidelines and continues to build a national political presence.
Gaines rose to prominence after competing against transgender swimmer Lia Thomas at the 2022 NCAA championships. Her outspoken criticism of existing policies propelled her into conservative media, campaign rallies, and congressional hearings. Backed by major GOP donors, she has since positioned herself as a central figure in the debate over sports eligibility and gender policy.
Her influence reached the national stage early this year when she stood behind former President Donald Trump during the signing of an executive order restricting federal funding for schools that allow transgender girls to compete in girls’ sports. Trump praised her efforts, saying she had been “at the forefront” of the issue.
Now, Gaines is responding strongly to the IOC’s recent ruling, which signaled tighter limits on transgender athletes in women’s categories.
In a direct post on X, she argued that identifying as a different gender does not make someone “brave or courageous,” stirring significant public debate online. Supporters applauded her clarity, while critics accused her of amplifying division.
Her reaction followed previous comments about Olympic boxing, where she questioned the participation of athletes whose eligibility had faced scrutiny. Gaines insisted women’s events should maintain what she describes as “fairness and safety standards,” calling for stricter enforcement across all sports.
Beyond commentary, Gaines has taken concrete action. In 2024, she joined 15 athletes in a lawsuit against the NCAA, arguing that previous policies disadvantaged female competitors. The case remains one of the highest-profile legal challenges on the issue.
Her advocacy has expanded to hockey, swimming, and boxing, and she regularly comments on cases that gain national attention. Recently, she spoke out after a Minnesota women’s hockey player resigned from her team, citing frustration over eligibility rules. Gaines responded publicly, reigniting debate across social platforms.
Meanwhile, her public persona has grown significantly. With over a million followers online, paid speaking engagements, a podcast, and two books—including a memoir released in 2024—Gaines has built a large platform that reaches far beyond sports.
Conservative groups regularly headline her as a top speaker, and political strategists consider her one of the movement’s most influential young figures.
As legislative battles continue at both the state and federal level—with more than two dozen states now limiting transgender participation in school sports—Riley Gaines shows no signs of stepping back.
She has called women’s sports “just the beginning,” describing the broader debate over gender policy as a defining issue for the next decade.