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 current conservative political activist. She gained prominence as a 12-time All-American swimmer at the University of Kentucky. Following her athletic career, Gaines became a vocal advocate against the inclusion of transgender women in women's sports. She has since dedicated herself to political activism, focusing primarily on issues related to fairness and protection of women's sports.

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 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 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, where she came 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.

2021: Olympic Qualification Tryout

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

March 2022: Fifth 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: Ties 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 Lia Thomas. Gaines has stated that Thomas shared locker room space with her while still intact with "male genitalia" and that the championship trophy was to be given to Thomas for "photo purposes" and that Gaines was expected to go empty-handed while waiting for her trophy in the mail. This event is what she credits to have started her activism.

April 2022: Lobbying Against Transgender Women in Sports

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

September 2022: Support for Rand Paul's Campaign

In September 2022, Riley Gaines supported the campaign of U.S. Senator Rand Paul by appearing in a TV ad for him, where she criticized trans women in women's sports.

January 2023: Activism and Appearances

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

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 prohibit transgender college athletes from competing in sports divisions aligning with their gender identity.

April 2023: Speech at San Francisco State University and Protest

In April 2023, Riley Gaines visited San Francisco State University for a Turning Point USA student chapter event, speaking about her campaign against transgender athletes. Following the event, protesters arrived, and Gaines was escorted to shelter in a classroom for three hours. She reported being physically struck twice during the protest.

June 2, 2023: Endorsement of Ron DeSantis

On June 2, 2023, Riley Gaines endorsed Ron DeSantis in the 2024 US presidential election.

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 civil rights for LGBTQ Americans, sharing her experiences competing with Lia Thomas and sharing a dressing room with her.

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 based on IWV model legislation, which includes provisions regarding bathroom and locker room usage, defining male and female based on sex assigned at birth, and defining terms like "man" and "woman."

November 2023: FIDE Collaboration and Ohio Senate Testimony

In November 2023, Riley Gaines confirmed working with FIDE to prevent transgender women from playing in women's chess. Also that month, she testified to the Ohio Senate Government Oversight Committee, discussing her experiences competing with Lia Thomas and advocating against transgender women competing in female sports in Ohio. The House would later pass Bill 68, preventing trans athletes from participating in Ohio women’s sports and blocking doctors from providing gender-affirming care to trans youth.

2023: Hosting Gaines for Girls Podcast

Since 2023, Riley Gaines has hosted the weekly OutKick and Fox Nation podcast Gaines for Girls.

March 2024: Legal Case Against NCAA

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

August 2024: Launch of 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: Support for Trump's Candidacy

After the attempted assassination of Donald Trump, in 2024, Riley Gaines expressed her support for Trump's candidacy.

2024: Invited to Tryout for Olympic Qualification

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

February 2025: HHS Webpage Featuring Riley Gaines

In February 2025, the United States Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) released a new webpage showcasing guidance on "women's health", featuring videos with Riley Gaines discussing her role in Trump's Executive Order. The order threatens to revoke federal funding from institutions allowing transgender girls on girls' teams.