Champion collegiate swimmer Riley Gaines urges Liberty University students to stand courageously

Activist and former collegiate swimmer Riley Gaines, a 12-time NCAA All-American, five-time SEC Champion, and SEC record-holder in the butterfly, graced Liberty University’s Convocation stage on Friday and used her testimony to encourage students to be courageous in the face of fear.

Gaines rose to prominence in 2022 when she, as a student-athlete at the University of Kentucky, swam against Lia Thomas, a transgender woman competing in the female swimming division. The 6-foot-4 Thomas, who previously swam three years on the University of Pennsylvania men’s team before transitioning, was awarded the coveted medal over his female competitors. 

“There were whispers of anger and frustration from girls who, just like me, had worked our entire lives to get to that point,” said Gaines, who said she was encouraged at the time to remain silent on the controversy. “It took me being directly and negatively impacted before I was willing to lend my voice to this worthy cause.”

Advocating for women’s sports was never part of Gaines’ post-college plans, but a strong calling from God propelled her to the front lines of one of the most polarizing social issues of the modern world: speaking out against men in women’s sports.

“It was in that moment, standing on that podium, sharing that podium placement with (Thomas) … I just had this realization of ‘Riley, how can you expect someone to stand up for you if you’re not even willing to stand up for you?” she said. “I was waiting for someone else to say something, because I thought surely someone else would. I thought surely a coach, surely someone within the NCAA, someone with political power, some other swimmer, someone’s dad quite frankly, would come down there and yank (Thomas) out of our locker rooms like my dad so desperately wanted to do.”

This situation, she said, reminded her of Paul’s dire warning in Acts, Romans, and throughout his other letters – that spiritual battles will intensify, that humanity will reach a point where darkness is seen as light, where bitter is seen as sweet, and where evil is seen as moral. Gaines drew a parallel between Paul’s warning and the injustice that many in society blindly accept.

Gaines told students that she originally wanted to attend dentistry school following her successful collegiate swimming career, but her desire to advocate for girls and women outweighed everything else. This calling, she said, was part of God’s divine and sovereign plan for her life.

She urged students to embrace God’s purpose, which is to honor and glorify Him in all things. Additionally, she encouraged Convocation listeners to boldly pursue their callings, whatever career they choose, and to magnify Christ in every aspect of their lives.

“Before the world came into being, He called you into existence before you took your very first breath,” she said. “This is our story as Christians, so trust His calling for you, whatever that may be and whatever realm that may preside in. Not everyone is expected to stand on a stage or look into a camera. I certainly didn’t want it to be me.”

“One thing is for sure: every person whom God created is called and does have purpose,” she added. “He’s calling you to bear fruit where He’s planted you. Receive by faith all that Jesus has done for you and be confident that His spirit is with you, empowering you to fight, win every single battle, and accomplish your purpose.”

Following Convocation, Gaines jumped on Liberty’s Standing for Freedom Center’s “Give Me Liberty” podcast, where she went deeper into her experiences standing up for girls’ and women’s sports. The episode can be streamed on Spotify, Apple Music, and anywhere podcasts are available.

Gaines has been a plaintiff in multiple Title IX lawsuits, including a recent suit against the NCAA over transgender policies.