Gaines vs. Olbermann: Fiery Clash Over UPenn’s Lia Thomas Record Purge

Riley Gaines and Keith Olbermann locked horns on social media this week, trading barbs over the University of Pennsylvania’s decision to strip transgender swimmer Lia Thomas of program records. The move follows a resolution with the U.S. Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights, addressing Title IX violations tied to Thomas’ participation on the women’s swim team in the 2021-22 season.

Olbermann, never one to shy from a spat, took a swipe at Gaines, calling her "whiny" and mocking her tie for fifth place with Thomas in the 200 freestyle at the 2022 NCAA Championships. Gaines, a 12-time NCAA All-American and host of OutKick’s Gaines for Girls podcast, fired back, pointing out Thomas’ 462nd national ranking in men’s competition before transitioning. She also tipped her hat to Emma Weyant, the rightful 500 freestyle champion in her view.

Penn’s decision aligns with updated NCAA policies, spurred by an executive order from President Donald Trump, banning biological males from women’s sports. While the university erased three of Thomas’ records, a website note still acknowledges them, citing NCAA eligibility rules at the time. Penn’s president, J. Larry Jameson, vowed full compliance with Title IX, ensuring female athletes have equal access and sex-separated facilities.

This clash isn’t just about records—it’s a microcosm of the broader debate over fairness in women’s sports, where emotions run high and the stakes are higher.