Former ESPN journalist Keith Olbermann said NCAA swimmer Riley Gaines lost to male swimmer Lia Thomas, who identifies as a transgender woman, because she “sucked at swimming.”
Olbermann’s comment followed Gaines’ response to Nebraska State Senator Megan Hunt, who criticized governor Jim Pillen’s Wednesday executive order establishing a Women’s Bill of Rights.
“Today Governor Pillen, famous women’s rights supporter, signed this offensive and ridiculous proclamation establishing a “Women’s Bill of Rights,” wrote Hunt. “He should try saying this stuff to my face then we would see who’s got what biological advantage”
The NCAA swimmer responded, describing Hunt’s criticism as “ridiculous.”
“Defining women = ridiculous to State Senator Megan Hun,” Gaines wrote. “Remember that next election, Nebraskans.”
Can you just address the reality and move past it? You sucked at swimming. That's why you lost.
— Keith Olbermann⌚️ (@KeithOlbermann) August 31, 2023
“Can you just address the reality an move past it? You sucked at swimming,” wrote former sports journalist Olbermann. “That’s why you lost.”
Olbermann’s comment received intense backlash from X users.
Editor-in-Chief of The Post Millennial Libby Emmons responded to Olbermann’s remarks, citing Thomas’ swim record in the men’s division.
“Did you know Lia Thomas ranked 462nd when he swam on the men’s team Keith? Maybe you want to reassess who REALLY “sucked at swimming.”
Did you know Lia Thomas ranked 462nd when he swam on the men's team @KeithOlbermann? Maybe you want to reassess who REALLY "sucked at swimming."https://t.co/pjn2viTsRA
— Libby Emmons (@libbyemmons) August 31, 2023
Dr. Suzanne Vierling said, “Any man who choose to throw his daughters and sisters under the bus are conquered inside queer patriarchy.”
“Senator Hunt has chosen the side that she thinks is the new power in charge of this nation,” she continued. “So have you which essentially acknowledges you completely defeated as a man.”
Nebraska is the second state to implement a Women’s Bill of Rights. Oklahoma Governor Kevin Stitt signed a similar executive order earlier this month.
“It is common sense that men do not belong in women’s only spaces,” said Governor Pillen of the executive order. “As Governor, it is my duty to protect our kids and women’s athletics, which means providing single-sex spaces for women’s sports, bathrooms, and changing rooms.”
The order addresses biological differences between males and females and also asserts a person’s “sex” is defined by his or her biological sex (either male or female) at birth.
“There are legitimate reasons to distinguish between the sexes with respect to athletes, prisons or other detention facilities, domestic violence shelters, rape crisis centers, locker rooms, restrooms, and other areas where biology, safety and/or privacy are implicated,” the order reads. “Any public school or school district and any state agency, department, or office that collects vital statistics for the purpose of complying with anti-discrimination laws or for the purpose of gathering accurate public health, crime, economic, or other data shall identity each individual who is part of the collected data set as either male or female at birth.”
In 2022, Gaines tied for fifth place with Thomas in the 200 free at the NCAA championships in Atlanta, Georgia. The NCAA subsequently gave the trophy to Thomas, while Gaines had to wait for hers to arrive later by mail.
Thomas later won the NCAA women’s swimming national title and was nominated for Female Athlete of the Year.
