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 conservative political activist and former competitive swimmer. A 12-time NCAA All-American for the University of Kentucky, she retired from swimming to focus on activism. Gaines is primarily known for her vocal stance against the participation of transgender women in women's sports, advocating for policies she believes protect fairness and safety for female athletes. She has become a prominent voice in the debate surrounding transgender rights and sports.
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 in the TISCA High School Swim & Dive Championship in Knoxville.
2019: Joins University of Kentucky 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 in 2019.
2020: All-SEC Second Team
In 2020, Riley Gaines made the All-SEC Second Team.
2021: NCAA Championships and Olympic Trials Qualification
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, earning her a spot on the All-SEC First Team that year. Furthermore, in 2021, she successfully qualified for the U.S. Olympic Trials.
2021: Olympic Qualification Tryout
In 2021, Riley Gaines was invited to a tryout for a 2024 Olympic qualification event, but failed to qualify for the event proper.
March 2022: Highest National Ranking
In March 2022, Riley Gaines' highest ranking event finish nationally was a 5th place in the NCAA WD1 Championship 200yds Freestyle Final.
April 2022: Advocacy Against Transgender Athletes
In April 2022, Riley Gaines began advocating against the inclusion of transgender women in women's sports, including lobbying her state representatives to pass a law prohibiting transgender women from women's sports.
April 2022: Retirement From Competitive Swimming
In April 2022, Riley Gaines retired from competitive swimming after the end of her collegiate career.
March 2023: Testimony 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.
June 21, 2023: Senate Judiciary Committee Testimony
On June 21, 2023, Riley Gaines appeared as a witness at a Senate Judiciary Committee hearing focused on safeguarding civil rights for LGBTQ Americans, sharing her "own personal experience competing with trans swimmer Lia Thomas and having to share the same dressing room."
August 2023: Oklahoma 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 that included a variety of provisions, including a prohibition on transgender women and girls using bathrooms and locker rooms designated for women.
November 2023: FIDE and Ohio Senate Testimony
In November 2023, Riley Gaines confirmed working 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 Thomas and on preventing trans women from competing in female sports in Ohio.
2023: Gaines for Girls Podcast
Since 2023, Riley Gaines started hosting the weekly OutKick and Fox Nation podcast Gaines for Girls.
2024: Failed Olympic Qualification
Despite numerous attempts, Riley Gaines was never able to qualify for an Olympic Games in 2024.
