Keith Olbermann Attacks ‘Unsuccessful’ Riley Gaines Who ‘Sucked at Swimming.’ Gaines Responds.

Former MSNBC and ESPN host Keith Olbermann has engaged in an online verbal dispute with swimmer and activist Riley Gaines, asserting that the two-time All-SEC first-teamer “sucked at swimming.”

“Second team all-conference. Happily for nasty, stupid, unsuccessful transphobe [Riley Gaines] she has no reputation to ruin,” Olbermann posted on X.

Gaines, who had been a second-team swimmer in 2019 and 2020, secured first-team honors during her last two years at the University of Kentucky.

She showcased her numerous accolades in a video response to the progressive, displaying mementos of her All-SEC first-team, three SEC titles, a national second-place finish, an SEC community service award, an SEC female scholar-athlete of the year and her qualification for the U.S. trials for the Tokyo Olympics.

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The disagreement originated from Olbermann’s comment on one of Gaines’ X posts. He suggested that Gaines “address the reality” that she “sucked at swimming,” implying this was the reason she “lost” to Lia Thomas, a transgender swimmer who clinched the Division I champion title in 2022.

“Ah, makes sense now why you got fired from ESPN,” Gaines retorted.

Paula Scanlan, a former teammate of Thomas at the University of Pennsylvania, defended Gaines.

“Your political bias blinds you and dismissive views like yours embolden men to change in front of us,” Scanlan remarked. She emphasized the pressing issue of women’s spaces being compromised and the potential harm this narrative could inflict on many women.

Scanlan, in an op-ed for The Telegraph, expressed her concern that the #MeToo movement had been co-opted by the Democratic Party. She recounted the distress of reliving her sexual assault trauma due to undressing in Thomas’ presence. Scanlan lamented that incidents of sexual assault by transgender women seem to be overlooked by “women’s organizations.”

This incident underscores the complexities and sensitivities surrounding the debate on transgender athletes in sports. It’s imperative to approach such discussions with respect and understanding for all parties involved.