Riley Gaines sparked a scandal with statements about transgender rights: 5 facts
7 june 2025 в 15:13
Riley Gaines made headlines after Simone Biles publicly reacted to a conservative activist’s statements about transgender rights. Gaines mocked the Minnesota high school softball league for having a transgender player, claiming that the state championship was «stolen by a team with a boy».
In response, Biles tweeted calling Gaines «truly sick», - describing the retired athlete as a «direct loser».
«You should support the transgender community and maybe find ways to make sports inclusive OR create new opportunities where transgender people feel safe in sports», - wrote the Olympic champion. «Maybe a category for transgender people in ALL sports! But instead… You intimidate them… One thing is for sure — no one feels safe in sports when you’re around!!!»
Here are five facts about Gaines:
Gaines is a 12-time American NCAA athlete who competed for the University of Kentucky’s NCAA swimming team. She retired from sports by 2022.
Gaines grew up in a sports family. Born in Nashville, Tennessee, her father, Brad Gaines, played football for Vanderbilt University, and her mother, Telisha Gaines, was a softball player at Donelson Christian Academy and at Austin Peay State University.
In 2022, Gaines married her college swimming teammate at the University of Kentucky, Louis Barker. They dated for three years before getting married.
Gaines spoke at the 2024 Republican National Convention in July in support of Donald Trump, who won the election in November of the same year. She also praised Robert F. Kennedy Jr. for uniting with Trump.
«Always a pleasure!» Gaines captioned a post on Instagram about her evening at the RNC. «An amazing evening for the campaign and the country. A special kind of energy and unity in the party right now. Hats off to @robertfkennedyjr! Didn’t think I’d see the day when Kennedy would support a Republican. He’s a patriot who understands the country > communism. Let’s gooooo».
In 2016, Gaines was invited to the US Olympic Trials in 2016, but failed to qualify, finishing in 85th place
In response, Biles tweeted calling Gaines «truly sick», - describing the retired athlete as a «direct loser».
«You should support the transgender community and maybe find ways to make sports inclusive OR create new opportunities where transgender people feel safe in sports», - wrote the Olympic champion. «Maybe a category for transgender people in ALL sports! But instead… You intimidate them… One thing is for sure — no one feels safe in sports when you’re around!!!»
Here are five facts about Gaines:
Gaines is a 12-time American NCAA athlete who competed for the University of Kentucky’s NCAA swimming team. She retired from sports by 2022.
Gaines grew up in a sports family. Born in Nashville, Tennessee, her father, Brad Gaines, played football for Vanderbilt University, and her mother, Telisha Gaines, was a softball player at Donelson Christian Academy and at Austin Peay State University.
In 2022, Gaines married her college swimming teammate at the University of Kentucky, Louis Barker. They dated for three years before getting married.
Gaines spoke at the 2024 Republican National Convention in July in support of Donald Trump, who won the election in November of the same year. She also praised Robert F. Kennedy Jr. for uniting with Trump.
«Always a pleasure!» Gaines captioned a post on Instagram about her evening at the RNC. «An amazing evening for the campaign and the country. A special kind of energy and unity in the party right now. Hats off to @robertfkennedyjr! Didn’t think I’d see the day when Kennedy would support a Republican. He’s a patriot who understands the country > communism. Let’s gooooo».
In 2016, Gaines was invited to the US Olympic Trials in 2016, but failed to qualify, finishing in 85th place
© Artemenko Olga
