“You are a megaphone for your teammates,” Riley Gaines APPLAUDS Abbigail Wheeler for standing up against biological males in YMCA women’s locker room
In a shocking development, 16-year-old swimmer Abbigail Wheeler was kicked out from her team for protesting against the involvement of biological male athletes in women sports. Former NCAA swimmer Riley Gaines has came into the support of her.
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Abbigail Wheeler (L) and Riley Gaines (R) [Pic Credit: Fox News/The Lion]
Another day, another controversy regarding the involvement of trans athletes. The topic has been trending for a while and with Riley Gaines continuing to fight, it is likely to carry on for a while. The former NCAA swimmer has now praised the efforts of a 16-year-old girl, Abbigail Wheeler for speaking out on the matter. Wheeler was accused of “hate speech” and thrown out of the locker room from Springfield YMCA for trying to raise her voice against allowing “biological males” in female changing rooms.
As per reports from Fox Sports, Wheeler was kicked out of the team after she protested against the decision. She and her teammate held up signs which were not well received by the institution. “Women’s Rights”, “Biological Women Only” and “SafeSport” were the signs Wheeler and her teammate used to warn the other girls about the participation of biological males in events.
Gaines appreciated the efforts of the young swimmer. She mentioned how just being just 16 years old and taking this step makes her a huge role model. She applauded the efforts of Wheeler and said “you are a megaphone for your teammates“. Gaines later mentioned how Wheeler’s elder sister went through the same situation as she was also a part of the University of Kentucky along with her.
YMCA denies reports of kicking out Abbigail Wheeler
In the current world of the internet, things can go viral quickly. Abbigail Wheeler’s story had the same impact. The institution later came into heavy heat from several users and parents. They have now claimed in their defense that the statements by her are false. They later added that Wheeler left the team of her own free will and was not kicked out.
“There have been a variety of false sentences around the same issues circulated by the same individuals since the past May,” they said. The organization came down heavy with how the statements by the swimmer being removed are false and she left the team by her own choice. Wheeler later responded by saying that this is “not true” and stood by her given statement.
Abbigail’s sister Kaitlyn also appreciated the efforts taken up by her younger sister. She mentioned how she was also a part of the Lia Thomas controversy along with Gaines. Thomas, the first transgender champion, has faced a barge of abuse and criticism for her participation in women’s events. She though has claimed that that she has not broken any rules. Thomas has continued to fight against Gaines for the inclusion of trans athletes in women’s sports.
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Vinay Dave
(1774 Articles Published)