Riley Gaines is a former American competitive swimmer, born on April 21, 2000, in Nashville, Tennessee. She has garnered a lot of attention for her exceptional performances during her career and for being vocal about transgender athletes. She completed her high school at Station Camp High School, where she made a few accomplishments in the sport.
The 24-year-old qualified for the US Nationals in 2018, while she was enrolled at the University of Kentucky. After this, she kickstarted her career by attaining multiple medals in several competitions. She reigned in the SEC Championships during her collegiate career by gathering multiple wins. She was the bronze and silver medalist at the 800m relay in the 2019 and 2020 SEC Championships, respectively.
In the 2021 SEC Championships, she clinched two golds (200 freestyle, 800 free relay) and two bronze medals (200m medley relay and 400m medley relay). During the 2022 iteration of the event she again clinched two gold medals ( 200 freestyle, 200 butterfly), one silver medal (800m free relay), and two bronze medals (200m medley relay and 400m medley relay).
Riley Gaines is also the 2021 NCAA silver medalist in the 800m free relay. However, the Kentucky swimmer’s career completely changed after the 2022 NCAA Championships. In this competition, Gaines and Lia Thomas, who is a transgender athlete, both tied for the fifth position, but Gaines was asked to step down to the sixth position by NCAA officials and Thomas was given the trophy. After this incident, she turned into a complete advocate and has been fighting for women and against the transgender athletes who compete in women’s events.
Who is Riley Gaines’s father?
Riley Gaines’ father is Brad Gaines, who is a former football player who played at Vanderbilt University. He was born in 1967 and spent his childhood in Nashville, Tennessee. He pursued his high school studies at DuPont High School.
Brad Gaines was a running back and receiver and has had 933 career receiving yards on 91 catches and 308 rushing yards on 90 carries. He surpassed the DuPont rushing record after gaining 1,324 yards during his senior year in 1985. One of the most remarkable moments in his career was in 1987 when he scored the final touchdown that made his team win with 1:22 left in the fourth quarter. This play was considered one of the most notable plays in Vanderbilt history.
Because of his incredible football skills, he was made a part of the Tennessean All-Metro Team as a defensive back, however, he made the decision to shift to Vanderbilt. He is also in the DuPont All-Sports Hall of Fame because of his setting and surpassing multiple records. Brad was very close to his daughter. The swimmer has always showcased his bond with his father through posts on Instagram.
Not just Riley, Brad Gaines supports every one of his children in pursuing the career they choose. According to MSN.com, Riley’s sister Taylor Gaines, who played softball also credited her parents for her success and stated that they give them way better advice than any other parent who isn't connected to sports.
Did Brad Gaines inspire his daughter’s swimming career?
Brad Gaines has always been a supportive figure in Riley Gaine’s life. He always marked his attendance at every meet of his daughter and cheered for her from the stands. In an interview with The Tennessean, he opened up about his thoughts for his daughter. He said that he was very proud of her and revealed how hardworking, disciplined, and focused Riley Gaines was in everything she did.
Her father was the one who taught her how to swim at the tender age of four. He threw her in a pool and asked her to swim. His support and push inspired Riley Gaines to pursue swimming as her career.
FAQ's On Riley Gaines Father
A. Riley Gaines is married to Louis Barker.
A. Riley Gaines’s mother is Teisha Gaines, who also played softball.
A. Riley Gaines is 24 years old.
A. Riley Gaines completed her studies at the University of Kentucky.
