Women’s sports advocate Riley Gaines responded Wednesday to comments made by former U.S. Women’s Soccer player Megan Rapinoe regarding efforts to protect female athletics. Gaines, a former collegiate swimmer who has become a prominent figure in the “Save Women’s Sports” movement, said Rapinoe’s criticism demonstrated what she called “peak irony,” as reported by the Western Journal.

Gaines’ remarks were posted on X, where she has frequently addressed issues surrounding women’s sports. Her message came after Rapinoe questioned the motives of those who support restrictions preventing men who identify as women from competing in female athletic categories.

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The debate has remained a central part of Gaines’ public advocacy, with her efforts focused on keeping competition limited to biological women.

“Megan Rapinoe questioning the motives behind protecting women’s sports is peak irony,” Gaines wrote. “The only reason she had a professional career at all is because she had a protected female category.”

Megan Rapinoe questioning the motives behind protecting women’s sports is peak irony. The only reason she had a professional career at all is because she had a protected female category.https://t.co/GCoqVQFSq2

— Riley Gaines (@Riley_Gaines_) November 19, 2025

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The reaction followed broader discussions circulating online about divisions within women’s athletics on the issue of eligibility. Supporters of Gaines’ movement have pointed to longstanding policies that separate male and female competition as essential to ensuring fairness.

Rapinoe has taken the opposite position in numerous public statements and has frequently defended the inclusion of individuals who identify as transgender in women’s sports.

The commentary came after an opinion piece circulated widely on social media describing wokeness as a “derangement,” characterizing it as behavior that cannot be explained by a single cause.

The piece claimed that certain elements appear to contribute to this mindset but do not fully account for it. That commentary was not authored by Gaines but was part of the broader online discussion occurring at the same time as her post.

Gaines’ remarks on Wednesday centered exclusively on Rapinoe’s criticism of the Save Women’s Sports movement.

The movement has gained national attention over the past several years, driven in part by disputes in collegiate and professional sports regarding competitive standards and the preservation of women’s athletic categories.

Gaines has described her efforts as focused on fairness and maintaining the integrity of women’s sports, often emphasizing the impact of policy decisions on young female athletes.

Rapinoe has consistently taken a different approach, urging broader inclusion in sports and challenging claims that such policies undermine fairness.

Her recent comments reignited debate between the two sides, with Gaines responding publicly through her social media account.

The exchange marks the latest chapter in an ongoing national conversation about athletic competition and eligibility rules.

The two athletes have not spoken directly to each other in the public comments referenced, but their positions continue to draw strong reactions from supporters on both sides of the issue.

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