A female college swimmer who competed against Lia Thomas said she and others felt “extreme discomfort” sharing a locker room with the transgender athlete.
Riley Gaines, who competed on behalf of the University of Kentucky against Lia Thomas and was also nominated for the National Collegiate Athletic Association Woman of the Year award, told Tucker Carlson she was never notified she’d be sharing a locker room with someone who had “different parts.”
“That’s not something we were forewarned about, which I don’t think is right in any means, changing in a locker room with someone who has different parts,” Gaines said. “So not only were we forced to race against a male, we were forced to change in the locker room with one.”
TURNING POINT USA ISSUES CEASE-AND-DESIST OVER THE VIEW’S ‘DEFAMATORY STATEMENTS’
Gaines has been critical of Thomas’s participation in women’s collegiate swimming, saying the NCAA failed to protect the integrity of women’s sports.
“Is this really happening?” Gaines recalled saying. “We’re sitting there not even knowing who to talk to, who to complain to, because this kind of all happened behind the scenes and very discreetly.”
Earlier this month, Gaines slammed Thomas’s nomination for the NCAA Woman of the Year award, calling the award “worthless.”
This award combines athletic performance with academics, service, and character. What character has Thomas shown other than sheer selfishness and entitlement? The disrespect and disregard for the other female athletes in Thomas’ interviews is eye opening.
— Riley Gaines (@RileyGaines) July 16, 2022
“This is yet another slap in the face to women. First a female national title and now nominated for the pinnacle award in collegiate athletics,” Gaines tweeted.
CLICK HERE TO READ MORE FROM THE WASHINGTON EXAMINER
Earlier this week, the NCAA announced Thomas would not be eligible for Woman of the Year honors.
