BUZZ BEAT MEDIA

Former collegiate swimmer and women’s sports advocate Riley Gaines has sparked renewed attention after announcing her first pregnancy—alongside a candid take on her recent clash with Olympic gymnast Simone Biles. 

Gaines, known for her vocal stance on preserving fairness in female athletics, revealed on Instagram that she and her husband, Louis Barker, are expecting a baby girl in September.

“Surprise! We’re 26 weeks pregnant! God is SO good all the time,” she wrote, accompanied by sweet photos of the couple holding sonogram images beside a horse. The heartfelt post resonated with her followers, many of whom praised her unapologetic faith and pro-life values. 

Gaines later marked Father’s Day with another post honoring her husband, celebrating a “new holiday to recognize the dad-to-be.”

Beyond the joyful news, Gaines used her platform to make a powerful point about the humanity of the unborn. Speaking at a Turning Point USA event, she shared how she feels her daughter kicking at night and hears her heartbeat during ultrasounds. “I see her tiny hands and feet,” she said. “And guess what? It’s just like yours and mine.” Her words highlighted not only a personal milestone but also her broader message: that life is sacred, even in the womb.

The announcement came shortly after a social media dispute with Simone Biles, who had criticized Gaines over her objection to a transgender athlete playing on a girls’ high school softball team. Gaines commented that the team’s success was “to be expected when your star player is a boy,” prompting Biles to call her “sick” and a “sore loser,” referring to Gaines’ tie with Lia Thomas in a 2022 NCAA swim meet.

Biles’ remarks, particularly her statement that Gaines should “bully someone your own size, which would ironically be a male,” caused backlash—both for its tone and for seemingly body-shaming a fellow female athlete. Although Biles eventually apologized, Gaines didn’t shy away from addressing the controversy during her speech.

“I think the funniest thing about [Biles] saying, ‘bully someone your own size, which would ironically be a man’ — how many men do you know that have this?” she quipped, holding up her baby’s ultrasound photo with a smile. The crowd erupted in applause.

Gaines also reaffirmed her mission: “It’s not my job to figure out how to include men in women’s sports,” she posted. “Men don’t belong in women’s sports and I say that with my full chest.”

For Gaines, this season is not only a time of personal blessing but also a moment to stand boldly for what she believes in—faith, family, and fairness. With her daughter on the way, Gaines sees even greater purpose in the fight to protect opportunities for girls in sports. “There’s something so special and providential about having a little girl,” she wrote. “She’s everything I’ve been fighting for.”

Indeed, Riley Gaines’ message is clear: life is a gift, truth is worth defending, and through it all, God is good.

*Cover Photo/Thumbnail Photo from Youtube of Turning Point USA