Riley Gaines Calls on Caitlin Clark, Simone Biles to Stand Against Transgender Athletes in Women's Sports

The debate surrounding transgender athletes in women’s sports continues to gain momentum, with former NCAA swimmer Riley Gaines calling for high-profile support from sports stars Caitlin Clark and Simone Biles. Gaines, who has been an outspoken advocate for restricting transgender participation in women’s sports, believes their endorsement would be a game-changer.

"People like Caitlin Clark and Simone Biles are role models who have shattered glass ceilings. If they were to stand up and say transgender athletes don’t belong in women’s sports, this issue could be resolved almost overnight," Gaines stated in an interview with Fox News Digital.

Gaines, who made headlines in 2022 after tying with transgender swimmer Lia Thomas at the NCAA championships, has since become a prominent figure in the movement. In 2024, she became the first ambassador for XX-XY Athletics, a sportswear brand that openly opposes transgender inclusion in women’s sports. The brand has not only turned a profit but also incentivized female athletes to take a stand by signing with them.

Jennifer Sey, the founder of XX-XY Athletics and a former U.S. gymnast, echoed Gaines’ sentiments. Sey highlighted the lack of top-tier female athletes actively defending women’s sports and stated, "We are in constant conversations with athletes who are considering joining the fight. It’s time for this to become the norm." Sey also noted that while the brand has seen financial success, they are still missing a superstar athlete as their ambassador.

Recent surveys indicate broad public support for restricting transgender athletes in women’s sports. A New York Times/Ipsos poll found that 79% of Americans believe biological males identifying as females should not compete in women’s sports. Even among Democrats, 67% were in agreement. A Gallup poll and a NORC survey conducted last year yielded similar results, reflecting a growing cultural shift on the issue.

However, this movement has not been without its challenges. Athletes and advocates speaking out against transgender participation have faced harassment and threats. Brooke Slusser, a former San Jose State University volleyball co-captain and XX-XY Athletics ambassador, had to leave campus after facing backlash. Her former assistant coach, Melissa Batie-Smoose, also experienced targeted violence when her home was shot at earlier this year.

Despite these incidents, Gaines remains optimistic. "The chokehold this issue once had is loosening," she remarked, expressing hope for more high-profile athletes to step forward and join the cause. Conversations with Olympians and other prominent athletes are reportedly ongoing.

With public opinion shifting and advocates like Gaines and Sey pushing for change, the debate over transgender inclusion in women’s sports shows no signs of fading into the background.