Riley Gaines, a 12-time NCAA All-American swimmer and vocal advocate for fairness in women’s athletics, announced she is pregnant with her first child during a public event in Texas.

According to the New York Post, Gaines and her husband, Louis Barker, shared that they are expecting a baby girl in September as their announcement comes during an ongoing public exchange with Olympic gymnast Simone Biles over transgender inclusion in women’s sports.

The couple delivered the news during Gaines's speech at the Young Women’s Leadership Summit hosted by Turning Point USA in Texas. Barker joined her on stage for the reveal and emphasized their focus on the future generation. Their daughter, he said, would be part of the movement advocating for fairness and integrity in athletics.

Surprise announcement at Leadership Summit

Gaines shared the pregnancy news in front of attendees by showing ultrasound images and expressing her gratitude. As of Saturday, she revealed, she was 26 weeks along. On Instagram, she wrote, “Surprise! We're 26 weeks pregnant,” and added, “God is SO good all the time.”

Barker highlighted the couple’s belief in the importance of shaping society for the next generation. Addressing the crowd, he stated that their daughter will grow up in a country influenced by the people advocating at forums like the Summit. “Thank you, keep fighting,” he told the audience.

The pregnancy news comes during a busy season for the couple, who were recently seen attending CMA Fest in Nashville. Gaines and Barker married in 2022 and celebrated their third wedding anniversary on May 22.

Clash over transgender athletes reignites

In the days leading up to the announcement, Gaines was engaged in a public debate with Simone Biles regarding transgender participation in women’s sports. Gaines has been a leading figure in opposing the inclusion of transgender athletes in female athletic divisions.

She recently criticized a Minnesota softball team that secured a state championship with help from a transgender athlete. Biles responded to Gaines’s comment through social media, calling her “truly sick” and suggesting her activism was based on resentment over a past loss, referencing Gaines’s race against Lia Thomas in 2022.

Taking to social media, Biles further expressed that the transgender community should be protected and that a separate category should be considered to create inclusive spaces in sports. However, she also criticized Gaines for worsening the divide, writing that “no one in sports is safe with you around.”

Public apology tempers escalating conflict

Another social media note from Biles drew criticism when she referred to Gaines’ appearance, saying she should "bully someone your size, which would ironically be a male." The comment was widely circulated and interpreted as body-shaming.

During her speech at the Young Women’s Leadership Summit, Gaines responded to those comments but did not retaliate. Instead, she highlighted the importance of focusing the discussion on preserving opportunities for biological women in sports.

Eventually, Biles issued a public apology stating she was “not advocating for policies that compromise fairness in women’s sports.” Gaines accepted the apology and extended an invitation to Biles, encouraging her to support efforts chasing equity and fairness in female athletics.

Gaines continues advocacy with national visibility

Gaines has gained national attention in recent years through her public speaking and activism on policy related to athletics. In 2022, she appeared onstage with former President Donald Trump during the Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC) in Dallas.

Her growing platform has made her a central figure in the conversation around transgender participation in competitive sports. While her stance has attracted both supporters and critics, Gaines continues to focus on the experiences of biological female athletes.

As she prepares for her first child and steps into motherhood, her message remains closely tied to concerns about preserving fairness and opportunity for future generations in athletics.