Former NCAA swimmer Riley Gaines Barker has once again thrust herself into the center of the transgender-inclusion debate by claiming that multiple Olympic athletes have privately reached out to endorse her position on fairness in women’s sports.
Background on the Lawsuit
In March 2024, Gaines joined 15 fellow female college athletes in suing the NCAA over its policy allowing transgender women to compete in female divisions. Though she never medaled at the NCAA Swimming and Diving Championships, Gaines has built a platform around the idea that mixed-sex competition erodes a level playing field.
New Claims of Teammate Support
On June 8, Gaines posted an Instagram Story stating that “dozens” of Team USA athletes—from gymnastics to track and field—have privately messaged her in the past 12 hours. She did not name names, citing concerns over professional backlash, but insisted that “99% of athletes at that level would agree” with her stance.
Simone Biles’ Public Rebuke
Just one day earlier, Simone Biles fired back at Gaines after the latter criticized a Minnesota high school softball team for fielding a transgender pitcher. Biles urged her to “bully someone your own size” and to focus on constructive solutions, such as a separate transgender category, rather than attacking individual athletes.
Why This Matters
Gaines’ assertion of covert support from elite athletes adds fuel to an already heated national conversation. By suggesting that high-profile Olympians share her views—even if only privately—she is attempting to shift public perception and apply pressure on sports governing bodies to revisit inclusion policies.
What Comes Next
With both sides staking out firmer ground, look for continued social media clashes and potential new legal challenges. Meanwhile, major organizations like the IOC and NCAA will be under greater scrutiny to clarify or revise their eligibility rules before the 2028 Olympics.