Rise to Success: Career Highlights of Riley Gaines

How Riley Gaines built a successful career. Explore key moments that defined the journey.

Riley Gaines is a former NCAA swimmer and conservative political activist. She gained prominence as a 12-time All-American swimmer at the University of Kentucky. After retiring from competitive swimming, Gaines became an advocate against the participation of transgender women in women's sports. She campaigns and speaks on the issue, arguing for single-sex competition based on biological sex.

Sections (3)

Full Timeline Early Life & Education Career & Achievements

2017: Won TISCA Championship

In 2017, as a junior at Station Camp High School, Riley Gaines won the 100-yard butterfly and 100-yard freestyle at the TISCA High School Swim & Dive Championship in Knoxville.

2019: Joined University of Kentucky's Swim Team

In 2019, Riley Gaines joined the University of Kentucky's swim team and made the All-SEC Freshman Team, she also made the All-SEC Second Team.

2020: Made All-SEC Second Team

In 2020, Riley Gaines made the All-SEC Second Team while swimming for the University of Kentucky.

2021: Competed in NCAA Championships and Qualified for U.S. Olympic Trials

In 2021, Riley Gaines participated in the NCAA Women's Swimming & Diving Championships, securing second place in the 4 × 200 yd freestyle relay and seventh in the 200 freestyle race. She also made the All-SEC First Team that year and qualified for the U.S. Olympic Trials.

2021: Qualified for Olympic Tryout

In 2021, Riley Gaines was invited to a tryout for a 2024 Olympic qualification event, but she did not qualify for the event proper.

March 2022: Highest Ranking Event Finish

In March 2022, Riley Gaines achieved her highest-ranking event finish nationally, securing 5th place in the NCAA WD1 Championship 200yds Freestyle Final.

March 2022: Tied for Fifth Place with Lia Thomas at NCAA Championship

In March 2022, while swimming for the University of Kentucky in the 200-yard NCAA freestyle championship, Riley Gaines tied for fifth place with University of Pennsylvania swimmer Lia Thomas. Thomas became the first openly trans woman champion in the NCAA women's division after winning the 500-yard freestyle later in the same event. Gaines initially received a sixth-place trophy while waiting for another fifth-place trophy to be mailed to her. Immediately after the meet, Gaines expressed support for Thomas but stated that the issue was with the NCAA rules.

April 2022: Advocated Against Transgender Women in Sports

In April 2022, Riley Gaines advocated against the inclusion of transgender women in the women's division of sports, including lobbying her state representatives to pass a law that would prohibit transgender women from women's sports.

April 2022: Retired from Competitive Swimming

In April 2022, after the end of her collegiate career, Riley Gaines retired from competitive swimming.

March 2023: Spoke at Texas Senate Committee

In March 2023, Riley Gaines was an invited speaker at a Texas Senate committee in support of legislation that would categorically prohibit transgender college athletes from competing in sports divisions that align with their gender identity.

August 2023: Accompanied Governor Stitt at Executive Order Signing

In August 2023, Riley Gaines, representing Independent Women's Voice (IWV), accompanied Oklahoma Governor Kevin Stitt as he signed an executive order based on model legislation developed by IWV. The executive order included provisions such as prohibiting transgender women and girls from using bathrooms and locker rooms designated for women and directing state agencies to use sex assigned at birth to define male and female.

2023: Hosts Gaines for Girls podcast

In 2023, Riley Gaines started hosting the weekly "Gaines for Girls" podcast on OutKick and Fox Nation.

August 2024: Launched the "Riley Gaines Center"

In August 2024, Riley Gaines announced the launch of the "Riley Gaines Center" at the Leadership Institute in Arlington, Virginia.

2024: Failed to qualify for Olympics

In 2021, Riley Gaines was invited to a tryout for a 2024 Olympic qualification event, but she did not qualify for the event proper.

February 2025: Featured in HHS Guidance on Women's Health

In February 2025, the United States Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) released a new webpage showcasing a new guidance on "women's health" featuring videos with Riley Gaines talking about her role helping with Trump's Executive Order, which threatens to revoke federal funding from any elementary, secondary, and post-secondary institution that allows transgender girls to play on girls' teams.