Riley Gaines, a former decorated collegiate swimmer at the University of Kentucky, spoke out against those who have thanked her for standing up for fair play in women’s sports but will not support her publicly.
Gaines has been at the forefront of women’s sports demanding fair treatment and preventing transgender women from competing against biological women at the highest level of competition. Gaines tied with then-Penn swimmer Lia Thomas at the NCAA championships last year. Thomas’ performance in the pool caused a national storm.
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Former University of Kentucky swimmer Riley Gaines, right, speaks during a rally Thursday, Jan. 12, 2023, outside the NCAA Convention in San Antonio. (AP Photo/Darren Abate)
As the former swimmer said, she received support from athletes across the sporting spectrum, but she asked those who supported her privately to come out of the shadows.
«I was initially honored when elite athletes (both female and male) thanked me for taking a public stance on having male-bodied athletes in female locker room and sports,» she tweeted Tuesday.
«I now realize that these private thanks hold you accountable for this continuing and moving forward as it has.»
RILEY GAINES, FORMER KENTUCKY WOMEN’S SWIMMING STAR, PREPARED TO ATTEND STATE OF THE UNION ADDRESS
Gaines attended President Biden’s State of the Union address later Tuesday night. She was the guest of Rep. Lisa McClain, Republican of Michigan.
She spoke to Fox News Digital ahead of Biden’s speech and criticized his defense of «gender ideological propaganda.»
Former University of Kentucky swimmer Riley Gaines speaks during a rally Thursday, Jan. 12, 2023, outside the NCAA Convention in San Antonio. (AP Photo/Darren Abate)
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«I’m really intrigued as to how he will address the state of our nation. What is the state of our nation? What is its condition?» Gaines said, raising concerns that the administration is pushing for more men who identify as women to compete in women’s sports across the country.
Fox News’ Aubrie Spady and Kelly Laco contributed to this report.