Riley Gaines and Husband Expecting First Child
Riley Gaines, a notable NCAA swimmer, and her husband, Louis Barker, are preparing to welcome their first child together.
The couple revealed they are expecting a girl, with the arrival anticipated for September. “Surprise! We’ve been pregnant for 26 weeks,” Gaines mentioned during an announcement on Fox News Digital. She expressed gratitude, stating, “God is always very good.”
Gaines, who hosts the podcast “Gaines for Girls,” married Barker in 2022 and recently celebrated their anniversary on May 22nd.
Gaines has been a vocal advocate for female athletes, particularly regarding issues surrounding transgender athletes participating in women’s sports. She recently had a public exchange with Olympic gold medalist Simone Biles, following a state championship victory that included a transgender player. After Gaines criticized a social media post celebrating the team, Biles responded, calling her remarks “really sick” and launching into a personal attack regarding Gaines’ appearance.
In response to concerns about sports inclusion for transgender individuals, Gaines stated, “We should raise the trans community, perhaps find ways to make sports inclusive and create new pathways where trans individuals feel safe in sports.” This comment sparked significant discussion online, and Biles later made another post addressing the situation.
During a speech at Turning Point USA’s Young Women’s Leadership Summit in Texas, Gaines touched on Biles’ comments about her appearance. Showing off her baby bump and a sonogram, she spoke about the excitement surrounding her pregnancy. Barker joined her on stage to share in the joy of this new chapter. “The next generation that our little girls are trying to get involved—that’s the ones who are fighting for you,” he said appreciatively, urging ongoing activism.
Later, Biles issued a public apology, clarifying that she does not support any policies compromising women’s sports equity. Gaines accepted the apology, extending an invitation for Biles to join their efforts in advocating for fair sports for female athletes.
