Riley Marie Gaines: Advocate for Women’s Sports and Accomplished Swimmer
Riley Marie Gaines, also known as Riley Gaines Barker, is an American former competitive swimmer and current advocate for women’s sports.1
Born on April 21, 2000, in Gallatin, Tennessee, Gaines has become a notable figure for her achievements in competitive swimming and her outspoken views on trans women competing in women’s sports.
Table of Contents
Riley Gaines Early Life
- Riley Gaines grew up in Gallatin, Tennessee, and showed an interest in swimming from a young age. As a high school student, she excelled in the sport, leading to her recruitment to the University of Kentucky’s NCAA swim team.
- Gaines’s time at the university was marked by both athletic and academic achievements.
- During her tenure at the University of Kentucky, Gaines became one of the top swimmers in the Southeastern Conference (SEC).
- She competed in a variety of events, including freestyle and butterfly, and consistently earned high placements. In 2022, her efforts and dedication were recognized when she was awarded the Southeastern Conference Women’s Swimming and Diving Scholar-Athlete of the Year.
- This award highlighted her excellence in both her studies and her swimming career.
Advocacy and Public Presence
After her competitive swimming career, Riley Gaines became a prominent voice in the conversation surrounding trans women competing in women’s sports. Her perspective is rooted in her experiences as a swimmer, where she competed against both cisgender and transgender athletes.
Gaines has publicly expressed concerns about the fairness of allowing trans women to compete in women’s sports, arguing that the physiological differences create an uneven playing field.
Podcast Host and Media Appearances
Since 2023, Riley Gaines has expanded her reach as a podcast host. She began hosting the weekly podcast “Gaines for Girls,” a show under the umbrella of OutKick and Fox Nation. The podcast provides a platform for her to discuss a variety of topics related to sports, women in athletics, and the broader cultural debates surrounding these issues.
Through her podcast, Gaines engages with a wide range of guests and audience members, offering insights into her experiences and the challenges faced by women in competitive sports.
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Riley Gaines’s College Athletic Achievements
Riley Gaines’s collegiate swimming career at the University of Kentucky showcased her exceptional skills and dedication to the sport. Here’s an overview of her accomplishments during her college years and her role in NCAA swimming competitions.2
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Early Achievements
Gaines joined the University of Kentucky’s swim team in 2018 and quickly made a name for herself. In her freshman year in 2019, she made the All-SEC Freshman Team, indicating a promising start to her collegiate swimming career. Her performance that year also earned her a spot on the All-SEC Second Team, reflecting her consistency and competitive spirit.
Success at the SEC Championships
As she progressed in her college career, Gaines continued to excel in the Southeastern Conference (SEC). In 2020, she once again made the All-SEC Second Team, proving that her freshman success was not just a one-time occurrence. These early achievements laid the groundwork for her future performances in higher-level competitions.
NCAA Women’s Swimming & Diving Championships
Riley Gaines’s skills were put to the test in the 2021 NCAA Women’s Swimming & Diving Championships, where she competed against some of the best collegiate swimmers in the country. Her performances at the championship event were impressive:
In the 4 × 200-yard freestyle relay, Gaines’s team secured a second-place finish, demonstrating her strong team-oriented approach. In the 200-yard freestyle race, she earned a seventh-place finish, highlighting her individual capabilities at a national level.
The 2022 NCAA Championships and Tying with Lia Thomas
- In 2022, Riley Gaines competed in the NCAA Women’s Swimming & Diving Championships, where she participated in multiple events.
- One of the most notable moments of her college career came during the 200-yard NCAA freestyle championship, where she tied for fifth place with Lia Thomas, a University of Pennsylvania swimmer.
- Thomas had gained significant attention for being the first openly trans woman champion in the NCAA women’s division after winning the 500-yard freestyle.
- This tie at the 2022 championship brought Gaines into a broader national conversation about trans women competing in women’s sports, leading to her emergence as an advocate for fairness and competition in women’s athletics.
Riley Gaines Net Worth in 2024
Riley Gaines, a former competitive swimmer and outspoken advocate for women’s sports, has achieved a significant level of financial success at the age of 23. As of 2024, her net worth is estimated to be between $1.5 – $2 million. This considerable wealth is a result of her achievements in swimming, her advocacy work, and endorsement deals.
I STAND WITH RILEY GAINES ! KEEP MEN AND TRANS OUT OF WOMANS SPORTS ! pic.twitter.com/P149jEr47o
— Mike Rodrigues (@MikeRod24913678) April 7, 2023
Athletic Career
While competing for the University of Kentucky NCAA swim team, Gaines established herself as one of the top swimmers, earning accolades like the Southeastern Conference Women’s Swimming and Diving Scholar-Athlete of the Year in 2022.
Her success in collegiate swimming laid a strong foundation for her post-swimming career, where she transitioned into an influential public figure.
Endorsement Deals
A significant portion of Riley Gaines’s net worth comes from lucrative endorsement deals. Notably, she has inked partnerships with major brands such as Nike, Coca-Cola, and Visa. These deals reflect her marketability and influence, as companies see her as a strong role model for younger athletes and advocates for women’s sports.
Brand Alignment
In a notable move, Gaines turned down a $5 million deal with Bud Light, preferring to align herself with a brand that aligns with her values. Instead, she signed a $10 million deal with a “non-woke” beer company, showcasing her ability to choose endorsement opportunities that resonate with her beliefs and public image.
Advocacy and Public Speaking
- Riley Gaines has become a prominent voice in the debate surrounding the participation of transgender women in women’s sports. Her outspoken stance has garnered attention from various circles, including political campaigns.
- In 2024, she was paid $11,700 by the DeSantis campaign for her role in advocacy and public speaking. Her engagements in these activities have not only contributed to her net worth but have also increased her visibility on a national scale.
- Beyond endorsements and advocacy, Gaines hosts a weekly OutKick and Fox Nation podcast titled “Gaines for Girls.”
- This platform provides her with a steady stream of income while also allowing her to expand her reach and influence. It also demonstrates her ability to transition from competitive athletics to media and content creation successfully.
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The 500-Yard Freestyle Event
Riley Gaines recalls the 500-yard freestyle at the 2022 NCAA Championships as the race where she first witnessed Lia Thomas competing at a high level among women.
Thomas’s participation and subsequent performances raised questions and stirred debates across the sports world, not only for breaking records but also for the impact on female athletes competing in the same events.
The Context of Lia Thomas’s Transition
Lia Thomas, formerly known as Will Thomas, had previously competed on the University of Pennsylvania Men’s Swim Team. After transitioning, Thomas began competing as a female swimmer, joining the Women’s Team in the fall of 2021.
This change had significant implications, given Thomas’s previous experience and performance on the Men’s Team. Thomas’s entry into women’s competitions created a stir, with some praising the inclusivity and others questioning the fairness of allowing a transgender woman with previous male athletic experience to compete against cisgender women.
Riley Gaines’s Reaction
Riley Gaines was among the swimmers competing against Thomas at the 2022 NCAA Championships. Observing Thomas’s speed and performance, Gaines felt a mix of emotions.
On one hand, she respected Thomas’s journey and personal decisions, but on the other hand, she couldn’t ignore the impact Thomas’s participation had on the dynamics of women’s sports. The presence of a transgender athlete with prior male experience in the same races challenged traditional notions of fairness and competitive balance.
The Debate and Its Implications
- The debate surrounding Lia Thomas’s participation in women’s sports extends beyond swimming and the NCAA Championships.
- It touches upon larger societal discussions about gender identity, inclusivity, and competitive integrity.
- The controversy sparked by Thomas’s record-breaking performances led to calls for clear policies regarding transgender athletes in women’s sports.
- Some argued that allowing transgender women with male athletic backgrounds to compete with cisgender women creates an unfair advantage, while others emphasized the importance of inclusivity and supporting transgender athletes.
Riley Gaines’s Political Activism: A Stand for Women’s Sports
Riley Gaines, a former competitive swimmer for the University of Kentucky, has gained prominence not only for her athletic achievements but also for her political activism. In recent years, Gaines has taken a firm stance against the inclusion of transgender women in women’s sports, arguing that it creates an unfair competitive advantage.
Her activism has led her to lobby state representatives, support political campaigns, and speak at high-profile events, establishing her as a leading voice in the debate over transgender participation in women’s athletics.
Lobbying for Legislative Change
Gaines’s activism began to gain traction in April 2022 when she lobbied her state representatives to pass a law prohibiting transgender women from competing in women’s sports.
Her efforts were motivated by her personal experiences at the 2022 NCAA Women’s Swimming & Diving Championships, where she tied for fifth place with Lia Thomas, a transgender athlete. This event sparked significant controversy and led Gaines to advocate for policies that, in her view, protect the integrity of women’s sports.
Support for Political Campaigns
In September 2022, Gaines’s activism extended to the political arena when she appeared in a television advertisement for U.S. Senator Rand Paul. In the ad, she voiced her criticism of transgender women in women’s sports and endorsed Paul’s re-election campaign.
Her appearance in the ad was part of a broader effort to influence public opinion and legislative action on this contentious issue.
Criticism and Support
Gaines’s activism has attracted both support and criticism. Those who support her stance argue that allowing transgender women to compete in women’s sports undermines the competitive balance and disadvantages cisgender female athletes. They view Gaines as a courageous advocate who is willing to speak out on a sensitive issue, even in the face of backlash.
FAQ’S
1. Who is Riley Marie Gaines?
Ans: Riley Marie Gaines is a former competitive swimmer who gained recognition for her achievements at the University of Kentucky. She is also a notable advocate for women’s sports, focusing on fairness and equality in athletic competitions.
2. What are Riley Marie Gaines’ swimming accomplishments?
Ans: Riley Gaines was a standout swimmer at the University of Kentucky, where she became an All-American and won multiple Southeastern Conference (SEC) titles. She competed in freestyle events, representing her university at various NCAA championships and other national competitions.
3. Why is Riley Marie Gaines known for her advocacy in women’s sports?
Ans: Riley Gaines became an advocate for women’s sports after her collegiate swimming career. She speaks out on issues related to fairness in women’s competitions, particularly concerning the inclusion of transgender athletes. Her advocacy centers on preserving equal opportunities for female athletes and maintaining a level playing field.
4. How has Riley Marie Gaines contributed to the conversation on women’s sports?
Ans: Riley Gaines has contributed to the conversation on women’s sports by participating in public events, speaking on media platforms, and advocating for policies that ensure fairness in women’s athletic competitions. Her voice has been a significant part of the broader debate about gender and sports, advocating for the integrity of women’s sports.
5. What is Riley Marie Gaines’ vision for the future of women’s sports?
Ans: Riley Gaines envisions a future where women’s sports remain competitive and fair. She advocates for policies that ensure female athletes compete in an environment where biological differences are taken into consideration. Her goal is to maintain the integrity of women’s sports while supporting equal opportunities for all athletes.
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