Riley Gaines slams NCAA for allowing Lia Thomas to compete at championships in emotional testimony

The former college athlete has been a vocal supporter of fairness in women’s sports.

Riley Gaines appeared on Capitol Hill Wednesday and gave an emotional opening statement to start the Senate hearing on "Protecting Pride: Defending the Civil Rights of LGBTQ+ Americans."

Gaines opened her testimony by recalling how she and transgender female Lia Thomas, who competed for the University of Pennsylvania, tied for fifth place in the 200-yard NCAA freestyle championship and how she and her team watched Thomas win the 500-yard freestyle the day before.

The former Kentucky star, a 12-time All-American, said the NCAA opted to give Thomas the trophy and the photo-op.

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Riley Gaines, American competitive swimmer, speaks at the Greenville Convention Center on Friday, June 2, 2023. (MCKENZIE LANGE/ Staff / USA TODAY NETWORK)

"Having only one trophy, the NCAA handed it to Thomas and told me I had to go home empty-handed," she said. "And when I asked why – which was not a question they were prepared to be asked – I actually appreciate their honesty because they said it was crucial Thomas had it for picture purposes. Thomas had to have it for the pictures. I felt betrayed. I felt belittled. I felt reduced to a photo-op. But my feelings didn’t matter. What mattered to the NCAA was the feelings of a biological male."

Gaines, citing Title IX, said allowing Thomas "to displace female athletes in the pool and on the podium" the governing body for elite college athletes "intentionally and explicitly discriminated on the basis of sex."

She then got emotional when talking about being forced to share a locker room with Thomas.

RILEY GAINES MOCKS MESSAGE APPARENTLY SENT TO HARVARD SWIM