"Taking a spot from a hardworking, deserving female athlete"-Riley Gaines weighs in teams boycotting SJSU amid the presence of reported trans athlete

By Animesh Pandey

Modified Oct 29, 2024 01:35 GMT

Riley Gaines continues to support the boycott against the San Jose State University's women's volleyball team due to the reported presence of a trans athlete. Recently, the 24-year-old swimmer-turned-social activist spoke on the boycott by the University of Nevada Reno players.

At the 'Stand with Women' event organized by the Independent Women's Voice, Gaines spoke about the press conference organized by Sia Lilli, the captain of the University of Nevada Reno team, where she announced the team's decision to forfeit the match against the San Jose State University. In her words,

"San Jose State University has a male on their team. Taking a scholarship, taking a roster spot, taking a travel spot from a hardworking, deserving female athlete."

Gaines also lauded team captain Sia Lilli for not backing out from the boycott against the San Jose State Spartans.

"They [University of Nevada Reno team] were set to play yesterday, but during game time these, these brave women, Sia and her teammates [which she is the captain of her team], they decided to hold a press conference. They ultimately decided to forfeit the match, understanding that they would accept a loss. Understanding that they would accept a loss but they said , 'Look, this is a loss that we are willing to accept, because some things matteer more than victory, and in this case, our safety.' ", added the social activist.

Riley Gaines has supported every institution boycotting their match against San Jose State University. Apart from the University of Nevada, four other colleges, including institutions like the University of Wyoming and the University of Utah have also boycotted their scheduled matches at the Mountain West Conference against the San Jose State University.

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Riley Gaines on University of Nevada's boycott against the San Jose State University

Riley Gaines [Extreme Right] with the University of Nevada Reno players [Image Source : Riley Gaines' X account]

Riley Gaines has been backing the University of Nevada's boycott of the San Jose State University's women's volleyball team over the presence of Blaire Fleming, a reportedly transgender athlete. She even attended their recent press conference and praised their stance.

Gaines took to social media to express her thoughts on the same. She wrote on her X account,

"The @NevadaWVB volleyball team was supposed to play @SanJoseStateVB today. SJSU has a man on their team. Instead of playing, they held a press conference during game time and shared why they're holding the line. Major kudos to their bravery & leadership #BOYcott"

When the University of Nevada Reno's women's volleyball team announced their decision to boycott the match against the San Jose State University, they were met with resistance from their administration, who were hesitant to take a bold stance. Gaines criticized this approach as she wrote on her X handle,

"INSANE response from @unevadareno after the women's volleyball team decided to forfeit their match against SJSU. This is the intimidation & emotional blackmail that girls face when they stand up for themselves. Hold the line girls, @NevadaWVB. We're all behind you! BOYcott"

Riley Gaines gained the limelight for her battle against the NCAA for allowing transgender swimmers like Lia Thomas to take part in the NCAA Championships in 2022. When Thomas was prioritized over her for the fifth-place trophy in the 200-yard freestyle, Gaines protested and launched a movement to keep transgender athletes out of women's sports.

Her efforts succeeded to an extent when in the same year, World Aquatics decided to keep transgender athletes out of elite women's events, including the Paris Olympics 2024.