Rise to Success: Career Highlights of Riley Gaines

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

Riley Gaines Barker is an American anti-trans activist and former collegiate swimmer. As a 12-time NCAA All-American swimmer for the University of Kentucky, she gained prominence for her vocal opposition to the participation of transgender women in women's sports after tying with transgender swimmer Lia Thomas in a 200-yard freestyle race. Gaines has since retired from swimming to focus on political activism, advocating for policies that restrict the inclusion of transgender athletes in female sports categories.

Sections (3)

Full Timeline Early Life & Education Career & Achievements

2017: High School Championship Wins

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: Joins University of Kentucky's Swim Team

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

2020: All-SEC Second Team

In 2020, Riley Gaines was named to the All-SEC Second Team.

2021: Olympic Qualification Event Tryout

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

2021: NCAA Championships and Olympic Trials

In 2021, Riley Gaines participated in the NCAA Women's Swimming & Diving Championships, finishing second in the 4 × 200 yd freestyle relay and seventh in the 200 freestyle race, earning her a spot on the All-SEC First Team. She also qualified for the U.S. Olympic Trials in 2021.

March 2022: 5th Place at NCAA Championship

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

March 2022: Tied with Lia Thomas at NCAA Championship

In March 2022, during her final competitive race at the NCAA championship, Riley Gaines tied for fifth place in the 200-yard freestyle with Lia Thomas. This event led to her activism against trans women in sports, with Gaines claiming unfair treatment and concerns about locker room spaces.

April 2022: Retirement from Competitive Swimming

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

September 2022: Supports Rand Paul's Campaign

In September 2022, Riley Gaines supported US Senator Rand Paul's campaign by appearing in a TV ad where she criticized trans women in women's sports.

January 2023: Political Activism

By January 2023, Riley Gaines had participated in a small protest at the NCAA Convention, appeared in campaign advertisements for former US Senate candidate Herschel Walker, and spoken at a Donald Trump rally.

March 2023: Testifies Before Texas Senate Committee

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

April 2023: Protest at San Francisco State University

In April 2023, Riley Gaines visited San Francisco State University for a Turning Point USA event, speaking against transgender athletes. After the event, she was met with protesters, escorted to safety, and allegedly physically struck twice during the protest.

June 21, 2023: Testifies at Senate Judiciary Committee Hearing

On June 21, 2023, Riley Gaines testified at a Senate Judiciary Committee hearing focused on civil rights for LGBTQ Americans, sharing her experiences competing against Lia Thomas and sharing a dressing room with her.

August 2023: Attends Executive Order Signing in Oklahoma

In August 2023, Riley Gaines, representing Independent Women's Voice (IWV), accompanied Oklahoma Governor Kevin Stitt as he signed an executive order that included provisions against transgender women using women's bathrooms and locker rooms, and defining sex based on assignment at birth.

November 2023: FIDE and Ohio Senate Testimony

In November 2023, Riley Gaines worked with FIDE to prevent transgender women from playing in women's chess, and testified to the Ohio Senate Government Oversight Committee about her experiences competing with Lia Thomas. The House would go on to pass Bill 68.

2023: Hosting 'Gaines for Girls' Podcast

In 2023, Riley Gaines began hosting the weekly OutKick and Fox Nation podcast called 'Gaines for Girls'.

March 2024: Legal Case Against NCAA

In March 2024, Riley Gaines was among 16 female student athletes who launched a legal case against the National Collegiate Athletic Association over the participation of transgender athletes in women's sports.

August 2024: Launch of Riley Gaines Center

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

2024: Olympic Qualification Event Tryout (failed)

Riley Gaines was invited to a tryout for a 2024 Olympic qualification event in 2021 but failed to qualify for the event proper.

February 2025: HHS Features Gaines on 'Women's Health' Webpage

In February 2025, the United States Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) featured Riley Gaines on a new webpage about "women's health," where she discussed her role in Trump's Executive Order, which threatened to revoke federal funding from schools that allow transgender girls to play on girls' teams.