Riley Gaines slams trans athlete Athena Ryan as male runner DOMINATES women’s category in high school conference

Athena Ryan, a transgender competitor, took part in the 2.97-mile race in the women's division, incurring Riley Gaines criticism on trans athlete participation in women's sport.

Riley Gaines slams trans athlete Athena Ryan as male runner DOMINATES women’s category in high school conference

Riley Gaines [Image Credit- Liberty University]

Riley Gaines opposes the inclusion of transgender athletes in women’s sports. She voiced her disapproval of a transgender individual participating in the women’s category of the Coastal Mountain Conference Championships. During these championships, transgender runner Athena Ryan, a student at Sonoma Academy, took part in the 2.97-mile varsity event.

The recorded finish time was 18:56.98, relegating Josie Hill to second place with a time of 19:11.76. High schools from Mendocino, Lake, Napa, and Sonoma counties participated in the event. Sonoma Academy falls under the North Central League II within the three groups of schools.

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On November 8, 2023, the sporting competition took place at Spring Lake Park, Santa Rosa, California. Gaines, known for being outspoken, recently expressed her disagreement with Ryan’s participation.

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Gaines lauded the North American Grappling Associations policy adjustment for transgender competitors and has publicly addressed the Lia Thomas situation.“A mediocre male flipping to the women’s team and suddenly dominating,” the former NCAA swimmer wrote on X.

Gaines remarked that the same situation seems to be repeating itself. Gaines wanted to know why the situation couldn’t be viewed from a different angle. Gaines expressed appreciation for her university’s encouragement of her self-expression.

She highlighted the institution’s and her team’s unwavering backing. Unlike her peers in the SEC and Ivy League, she faces no restrictions in vocalizing her opinions. Gaines clarified her stance, stating that her disagreement lies not with transgender individuals like Lia Thomas but with the decisions made by sports regulatory organizations.

Fans support Riley Gaines on her journey towards women’s right

Since her encounter with transgender competitor Lia Thomas during collegiate swimming, Riley Gaines has been a stalwart advocate for equity in female sports. Gaines has emerged as a prominent proponent, articulating the cause at numerous national forums, including a recent engagement at the University of California, Davis.

Riley Gaines in a file photo[Credit-Twitter]
Riley Gaines in a file photo[Credit-Twitter]

At this event, as with previous ones, she encountered substantial protest, with some accusing her of transphobia. Gaines vehemently disputes this characterization, positing that such allegations are baseless and that the term transphobe loses its significance when misapplied to her advocacy.

Gaines has expressed amusement at the accusations, reiterating her stance with a touch of irony. She maintains a clear bifurcation of the sexes, suggesting that biological sex is immutable. Should such views be labeled as transphobic, Gaines accepts the appellation unapologetically.

On the other hand, She acknowledges the experiences of individuals who feel misgendered and supports their right to live under their gender identity as long as the integrity of women’s sports is preserved. Although her standpoint on women’s rights remains the same.

Additionally, she invokes her Christian beliefs to argue against individuals assigned male at birth competing in women’s sports categories. Gaines noted that a significant proportion of female athletes concur with her belief, which she, as a Christian, regards fundamentally as a battle of a spiritual nature.

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