Riley Gaines Fires Back After Ex-ESPN Host Mocks Her Advocacy For Women

Former ESPN host Keith Olbermann clashed with Riley Gaines this week following the University of Pennsylvania’s decision to strip trans-identifying male swimmer Lia Thomas of his program records.

Olbermann called Gaines “whiny” in an X post on Tuesday after the U.S. Department of Education Office for Civil Rights announced its agreement with UPenn.

Wanted to congratulate Whiny Gaines on now being able to say she finished tied for FOURTH not tied for FIFTH in the Lia Thomas race
(@Riley_Gaines_)

— Keith Olbermann (@KeithOlbermann) July 2, 2025

“Wanted to congratulate Whiny Gaines on now being able to say she finished tied for FOURTH not tied for FIFTH in the Lia Thomas race,” he wrote.

Thomas, who is biologically male, was the first trans-identifying swimmer to win an NCAA Division I title, setting multiple school records and tying for fifth place with Gaines in the 200-yard freestyle event at the 2022 NCAA Division I Women’s Swimming and Diving Championships. Since then, Gaines has actively spoken against biological men competing in women’s sports.

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“Thank you!” Gaines shot back in a reply to Olbermann. “And while you’re keeping track, make sure to congratulate Emma Weyant, the right National Champ in the 500 freestyle, too.”

Thank you! And while you’re keeping track, make sure to congratulate Emma Weyant, the right National Champ in the 500 freestyle, too.

(If you're insinuating 5th in the nation is bad, what do you call a man who ranks 462nd nationally in the men's category?) https://t.co/liCRPraFQD

— Riley Gaines (@Riley_Gaines_) July 2, 2025

Emma Weyant finished in second place behind Thomas in the 500 freestyle at the 2022 NCAA swimming championship.

She added, “If you’re insinuating 5th in the nation is bad, what do you call a man who ranks 462nd nationally in the men’s category?”

Earlier this year, President Donald Trump signed an executive order banning men from competing in women’s sports. The NCAA updated its gender eligibility policies in compliance with the administration.

UPenn President J. Larry Jameson said the university plans to “fully comply” with both Title IX and the NCAA’s new policies.

“The University will not – on the basis of sex – exclude female students from participation in, deny female students the benefits of, or subject female students to discrimination under, any athletics programs,” Jameson said. “In addition, in providing to female student-athletes intimate facilities such as locker rooms and bathrooms in connection with Penn Athletics, such facilities shall be strictly separated on the basis of sex and comparably provided to each sex.”