Former NCAA female swimmers, including Riley Gaines, have spoken out against the inclusion of transgender athletes in women's sports, arguing that it violates their privacy and competitiveness. They urge Georgia lawmakers to take action and protect female athletes' rights.
Riley Gaines, a former University of Kentucky swimmer, along with four other former NCAA female athletes, addressed the Georgia State Senate's Special Committee on Protecting Women's Sports on Tuesday. They shared their experiences and emotions at the NCAA Championships, where they witnessed Lia Thomas, a transgender woman from Penn, competing in the women's category.
NCAA Female Athletes Testify Before Georgia Lawmakers, Condemning Transgender Inclusion in Women's Sports
Gaines, who tied with Thomas in the 200-yard freestyle, opened up about the discomfort and violation she felt while Thomas changed in the women's locker room. She read a letter addressed to Georgia Tech President Dr. Angel Cabrera, accusing the university of failing to protect female athletes by allowing a "6-foot-4 fully naked man" into their locker room.
"We did not give our consent to be exploited and exposed to a 6-foot-4 fully naked man," Gaines stated. "Because you did nothing, that man walked into our women's locker room at your university and saw me undress down to full nudity."
NCAA Female Athletes Testify Before Georgia Lawmakers, Condemning Transgender Inclusion in Women's Sports
Gaines' testimony resonated with other former swimmers present. Reka Gyorgy, a former University of Georgia swimmer, said she was "speechless" when she learned Thomas was competing as a woman. "I couldn't believe that this was happening in my sport," she said.
Kylee Alons, a former Florida State University swimmer, shared her concerns about the fairness of allowing transgender athletes to compete in women's sports. "I don't think it's equitable for transgender athletes who have gone through male puberty to compete against females who have not," she stated.
NCAA Female Athletes Testify Before Georgia Lawmakers, Condemning Transgender Inclusion in Women's Sports
Grace Countie, a former Liberty University swimmer, argued that transgender inclusion threatened the integrity of women's sports. "We cannot sacrifice the rights and opportunities of female athletes just to accommodate a very small minority," she said.
Kaitlynn Wheeler, a former Auburn University swimmer, emphasized the importance of protecting the physical safety of female athletes. "I feel that it is extremely important for women to have their own space where they feel safe and comfortable," she said.
The female athletes were asked for their recommendations on addressing transgender inclusion. Gaines urged lawmakers to send a clear message that "women are worthy" of respect and privacy. She called for decisive action to protect their rights.
"You're worthy of calling yourself a champion," Gaines said. "You're worthy of privacy in areas of undressing. You're worthy of being safe in your sport."
The female athletes also called for accountability for those who had allowed the situation at the 2022 NCAA Championships to occur. Gaines urged lawmakers to hold Georgia Tech accountable for failing to protect its female athletes.
"You have the opportunity to send that message to young girls – to win across the state of Georgia but broader, across the United States," Gaines said.
Georgia Tech released a statement to Fox News Digital after the hearing, maintaining that they were merely the venue for the NCAA championships and that the event was administered by the NCAA. They stated that they had and would continue to cooperate with the committee.
