Riley Gaines never considered herself a feminist. Then she raced Lia Thomas

NCAA swimmer Riley Gaines never called herself a feminist. Then she tied Lia Thomas, a transgender athlete, in the 2022 championship. That changed everything for Gaines.

NASHVILLE – Riley Gaines never considered herself a feminist growing up. Then she tied transgender swimmer Lia Thomas in last year's NCAA women's finals.

"The feminist movement has gone two directions," Gaines, who swam for the University of Kentucky, told Fox News. "One of which is upholding the original meaning of feminism, which is embracing and empowering women. The other direction has gone where they're now fighting for male inclusion in women's sports, women's spaces." 

Since tying for fifth with Thomas for the 200-meter championship last year, Gaines has advocated against transgender women competing against biological females. She says her goals, like stopping proposed changes to Title IX, are intended to protect women's spaces.

As a result, Gaines has become a central figure in a heated political battle. But she's also discovered a newfound appreciation of feminism.

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"I never would have called myself a feminist before this," Gaines told Fox News.

Growing up, the swimmer felt the movement aimed to divide the sexes, with radical feminists pushing the idea that women didn't need men and that they could do anything men could.

"It almost goes against the co-dependency that I believe the sexes should have," she said. "I'm married, and I rely on my husband for a lot, and he relies on me for a lot."

"That being said, I do now consider myself a feminist," she added. "But really, I've deemed it as being a modern-day feminist."

Last week, Thomas criticized female athletes who make similar comments to Gaines.