Riley Gaines Announces Baby Girl Amid Feud with Simone Biles

Nashville, TN — Riley Gaines, a former competitive swimmer and conservative activist, announced on June 14 that she and her husband, Louis Barker, are expecting their first child, a baby girl. The couple shared their joyful news during an event where Gaines also took a moment to address her ongoing social media feud with Olympic gymnast Simone Biles.

Gaines, 25, recalled a recent incident where Biles criticized her for making anti-transgender remarks. In a speech to the audience, Gaines referenced Biles’s comments, stating, “I think the funniest thing about this to me, and her saying, ‘Bully someone your own size, which would ironically be a man’… How many men do you know that have this?” This remark drew cheers from the crowd.

Later, Gaines shared a photo on social media where she cradled her baby bump alongside sonogram images, captioning it, “Surprise! We’re 26 weeks pregnant! God is SO good all the time.” She expressed her happiness, stating, “There’s something so special and providential about having a little girl. She’s everything I’ve been fighting for & the little girl we’ve prayed over for years, praise God!”

The controversy began after Gaines commented on a post from the Minnesota State High School League celebrating a state championship win for a high school softball team. She suggested that the victory, aided by a star player who is a transgender woman, was to be expected “when your star player is a boy.” Biles responded strongly, calling Gaines a “sore loser” and accusing her of bullying transgender individuals.

In her reply on social media, Biles recommended creating a category to support the inclusion of transgender athletes in sports. Biles later expressed that she did not intend to target any individual but was focused on broader issues of fairness and inclusion in athletics.

As the debate continues, Gaines’s pregnancy announcement adds a personal angle to her public disputes, reflecting broader tensions regarding gender and sports in America.