Swimmer who lost against Lia Thomas is stepping up for female athletes
University of Kentucky swimmer Riley Gaines said on Friday that she will continue to be involved in the debate surrounding women's sports.
Gaines competed against Thomas in the 200-yard freestyle at the NCAA Women's Swimming Championship this past March.
After tying for fifth place with transgender swimmer Lia Thomas at the 2022 NCAA Women’s Swimming Championship, a University of Kentucky swimmer is dedicating herself to being an advocate for women athletes.
Riley Gaines, who competed against Thomas in the 200-yard freestyle told Fox News on Friday that she will continue to work to raise awareness about the need to protect women’s sports.
Gaines stated that she is partnering with organizations and will participate in events pertaining to the women’s issue. She will attend a Las Vegas rally at the end of the month. She also mentioned both a book and a documentary are “in the works.”
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”I kind of want to highlight this experience and not just my own, but other perspectives as well,” Gaines told Campus Reform. “Whether that be scientific perspectives, other people affected, swimmers and parents, and people that deal with this every day.”
”I just don’t want this to be a conversation that dies down, and so I’ve kind of made it my goal to continue it,” she said.
The attention to the issue reportedly correlates with the 50-year anniversary of Title IX. The regulation has recently come into the spotlight as a focus of the Biden administration’s gender agenda.
Anticipated changes to Title IX would add “gender identity” alongside biological sex.
The move has raised concerns among experts who warn that the modification could erode women’s rights.
In addition to the events, Gaines stated she intends to begin work on the “legislative side” and has been in talks with United States Senator Marsha Blackburn (TN- R).
One of her ideas includes introducing a new policy named Title XX in reference to biological chromosomes.
”I’ve got some really cool things in the works and I’m really excited to continue pursuing it as it’s something I’m extremely passionate about,” she said on Fox.
Gaines also addressed the biological differences between men and women, which she referred to as “night and day.” According to Gaines, it is important to acknowledge the differences between the sexes to ensure fair competition.
”Obviously in a sport like swimming, where it is based on your individual performance, and it requires things like your stamina and your strength and endurance, all these things that women are just typically disadvantaged at over men,” Gaines said. “To pretend otherwise defies logic, reason, science, and common sense.”
Campus Reform has contacted Gaines for comment and this article will be updated accordingly.
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