NEW: I spoke with Riley Gaines, a University of Kentucky swimmer who tied for 5th in the 200 freestyle with biologically male/trans swimmer Lia Thomas this weekend. Riley shares that she was told to hold the 6th place trophy for pictures, and much more.
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Riley tells me that she went into the swim meet apprehensive about facing a biological male but hopeful that other female swimmers would speak up first. No one did, though there were "so many girls" who were upset, she says.
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Riley discusses Reka Gyorgy, booted from the 500 freestyle because Lia Thomas placed ahead of her.
“Wow, I can’t believe I just got beat by someone who probably wasn’t even trying their hardest," Riley says that Reka told her when Lia Thomas finished.
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Riley also confirms that Lia Thomas changed in the women's locker rooms.
“The first day I got there, I was in the locker room changing, and then she came in, and it just kind of got silent. Everyone in the locker room...was kind of stunned."
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Riley doesn't blame Lia Thomas. She blames .
“What I’m not OK with is that they were able to just turn their backs on all of the biological females, not even just in swimming, but in all NCAA sports, just to kind of appease a small minority.”
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Absolutely inexcusable what we are doing to these women athletes.
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HEADLINE NEWS BIO MAN THE FIRST WOMEN'S NCAA SWIM CHAMPION. END OF WOMEN'S RIGHTS.
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This issue will not resolve as long as things like this continue:
“I am in full support of her & full support of her transition & her swimming career & everything like that,” insisted Gaines..."
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