Twelve-time All-American swimmer and women’s rights advocate, Riley Gaines was in Tulsa Friday night.
She faced controversy after speaking out after she tied University of Pennsylvania swimmer, Lia Thomas, who is a biological male.
“My senior year, we were forced to compete against a male athlete. Lia Thomas, who is formerly Will Thomas, who swam three years on the men’s team at the University of Pennsylvania before deciding to switch to the women’s team,” said Gaines.
She says when Thomas competed against the men, Thomas ranked 462 nd at best nationally, but then dominated against the women.
Both Gaines and Thomas competed against each other in the 200-meter freestyle at the NCAA championships which ultimately resulted in a tie.
“Despite tying, the NCAA told me that Lia gets the trophy, and when I asked why, they said that because when photos were being taken it was crucial that the trophy was in Lia’s hands,” said Gaines.
She says the unfair competition, being forced to undress in the locker room with a fully intact male, and being subjected to discrimination by the NCAA forced her to speak out.