Riley Gaines advocates for women's sports rights amid controversy over Leah Thomas trophy incident

A heated discussion on the fairness of women's sports took center stage during the Idaho House State Affairs meeting on January 9, 2025. The conversation was sparked by Riley Gaines, a former NCAA swimmer, who shared her frustrations over the treatment of female athletes in the wake of transgender athlete Leah Thomas's participation in women's competitions.

Gaines recounted her experience at the NCAA championships, where she was denied the opportunity to take home a trophy after tying with Thomas. "They let me hold one, but they ended up taking it back," she said, expressing her disappointment and frustration. She emphasized that allowing a transgender woman to compete in women's sports undermines the value of female achievements. "If a man can win a women's trophy, it was never a trophy for a woman to win in the first place," she asserted.

The discussion also touched on broader implications for women's sports, with Gaines highlighting that 25 states have enacted laws to protect women's sports from what she described as an "anti-woman" agenda. She noted that organizations like World Athletics and FINA are prioritizing safety and fairness over inclusion, signaling a shift in attitudes towards the participation of transgender athletes in women's events.

Representative Dygert inquired about improvements in other sports, to which Gaines responded with optimism, stating that changes are underway as more people recognize the harm caused by current policies. However, she cautioned that progress is slow, with many leaders still hesitant to take decisive action.

The meeting concluded with a call for continued advocacy for female athletes, as Gaines and others work to ensure that future generations have equal opportunities in sports. The conversation underscored a growing movement among states and sports organizations to address the complexities of gender identity in athletics, aiming to protect the integrity of women's competitions.