Riley Gaines Reflects on Lia Thomas Tie and the Impact on Women’s Sports

Riley Gaines Reflects on Lia Thomas Tie and the Impact on Women’s Sports

This month marks the three-year anniversary of Riley Gaines’ notable tie with Lia Thomas at the 2022 NCAA women’s swimming championships. At that time, Thomas, who was previously known as Will Thomas, gained significant attention, being celebrated by some as a trailblazer for civil rights in sports.

During those championships, Gaines, an aspiring dentist, found herself waiting to celebrate her own achievements until Thomas completed her photo opportunities. In contrast to 2022, the landscape surrounding women’s sports has shifted dramatically.

Changes Since the NCAA Championship

As of 2025, the narrative has evolved significantly. After missing the chance to qualify for the Paris Olympics, Thomas now faces multiple legal challenges. Lawsuits target the NCAA, the Ivy League, and the University of Pennsylvania, driven by Gaines and other female athletes who shared competitive spaces with Thomas. Furthermore, the University of Pennsylvania is currently under scrutiny by the Department of Education for possible Title IX violations.

Gaines Emerging as a Civil Rights Icon

Today, Riley Gaines has emerged as a prominent figure in the discussion surrounding fairness in women’s sports. Gaining recognition as a sports civil rights icon among conservatives, her name is attached to proposed legislation in Georgia designed to prohibit transgender athletes from participating in women’s sports. This bill reflects Gaines’ growing influence since her 2022 tie with Thomas.

Numerous states have initiated similar measures to restrict transgender inclusion in women’s athletics. Additionally, former President Donald Trump’s executive order aimed to ban transgender individuals from competing in women’s sports at a national level. Polls indicate that public sentiment is shifting, with many Americans expressing opposition to transgender athletes participating in women’s sports. Notably, this issue played a role in influencing voters during the upcoming 2024 election.

A Thank-You Note to Lia Thomas

Gaines recently articulated her thoughts on the unintended political consequences stemming from the controversy surrounding Thomas. She indicated that she would send a thank-you note to Thomas if she could. Gaines commented, “I think we should send a thank-you note to people like Will Thomas, I really do…because he handed us the election.”

She further elaborated that despite various criticisms of the Biden administration, the visual representation of the situation surrounding Thomas resonated strongly with many voters, crystallizing long-standing concerns. Gaines remarked, “It painted the picture that many of us were concerned about for a while, but made it a reality.”

The Electoral Impact

A national exit poll conducted by the Concerned Women for America found that a striking 70 percent of moderate voters regarded issues surrounding transgender athletes competing in women’s sports as significant. Among these respondents, 6 percent identified it as their top concern, while 44 percent indicated it as very important.

Moreover, these dynamics have led to Trump achieving greater support among women voters, including younger demographics, during recent elections. This electoral shift underscores the growing significance of controversies related to transgender inclusion in sports.

Sympathy for Thomas

While Riley Gaines expresses her gratitude for the political shift, she also conveys a sense of compassion for Thomas. She has reached out to Thomas on several occasions, initially feeling a need to apologize for her stance. “Honestly, I hate to say it, but I reached out apologetically, like feeling that I needed to explain myself,” Gaines noted.

Despite this initial approach, Gaines indicates her perspective has shifted. If given the chance to reconnect with Thomas today, she would be more forthright. She stated, “I would still welcome conversation, but it would not be in a way that is apologizing for feeling the way that I do.” Instead, she would aim for constructive dialogue.

The Broader Context of Transgender Athletes

Since Thomas’s rise in 2022, several other transgender athletes have also sparked national debates, including Blaire Fleming, a former volleyball player at San Jose State University, and Sadie Schreiner, an openly transgender runner. While Gaines opposes their participation in women’s sports, she acknowledges their role as victims within a broader movement promoting transgender inclusion.

Gaines stated, “I view them as victims too…They have unfortunately fallen for the lie that they weren’t created uniquely and intentionally in God’s perfect image.”

Ongoing Investigations and Controversies

The controversies surrounding these athletes have attracted considerable scrutiny. The situation with Blaire Fleming, for example, escalated after opponents forfeited matches when lawsuits claimed the school did not disclose Fleming’s birth sex. In light of these matters, Trump publicly commented on Fleming during a town hall event, reflecting growing political attention on this issue.

Similarly, the University of Pennsylvania and San Jose State University are now subjects of federal investigations regarding their treatment of transgender athletes. These investigations add layers of complexity to the ongoing discourse surrounding fairness in women’s sports.

A Call for Awareness

Amidst the rising tensions and fierce debates, one of the key messages from Gaines focuses on the need for awareness regarding the impact of gender ideology. She expressed her belief that the movement is ultimately damaging to all stakeholders, with the exception of individuals profiting from it. Gaines believes the ongoing discussions shed light on the deeply entrenched issues facing women’s sports today.

As Gaines continues to advocate for her vision of fairness in athletics, it is clear that the questions surrounding transgender inclusion in women’s sports will remain a significant topic in public discourse. The future will depend on how these dialogues evolve and the actions taken by various stakeholders in the sporting community.