In the world of NCAA swimming, former collegiate athlete Riley Gaines stands out as a vocal advocate for women’s rights and the preservation of women’s sports. In March 2024, Riley Gaines, along with 15 other college athletes, filed a lawsuit against the NCAA, criticizing the organization’s policies for transgender athletes.

Amidst the ongoing debate surrounding the participation of transgender women athletes in women’s sports and transgender men in men’s sports, another former NCAA swimmer has recently entered the discussion, challenging the arguments put forth by Riley Gaines and others regarding factors of ‘inequity’.

Transgender trailblazer in NCAA swimming claps back at Riley Gaines and others

In a YouTube video posted by USA Today, Schuyler Bailar, who swam for the Harvard Men’s Swimming and Diving team as the first openly transgender NCAA Division, opened up about misinformation about transgender athletes. Throughout his narrative, Bailar highlighted the misconception that testosterone alone determines athleticism. Schuyler Bailar acknowledged that testosterone might improve athletic performance but emphasized that it wasn’t the sole factor.

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He shared, “There’s so much inequity in sports, and people are focused on trans people when in reality there are so many other problems: socioeconomic disparity, racism, ableism, fatphobia, classism, and capitalism. There are so many problems that create an unlevel playing field in a sport that we should address, and trans people are not at all a factor.” As we reflect on his words, let us see how Schuyler Bailar became the first openly transgender NCAA Division I swimmer and what he has been up to in his career.

What has Schuyler Bailar been up to?

Schuyler Bailar shared how, despite being recruited to swim for the women’s team at Harvard, he felt torn between his identity as an athlete and his identity as a trans person. His coaches, although unfamiliar with the situation, expressed support and willingness to understand. Eventually, Bailar made the courageous decision to join the men’s team, becoming the first openly trans athlete on a D1 men’s team in college. Throughout high school at Georgetown Day School, Bailar excelled, setting school records and winning numerous titles.

In his NCAA career in the 2018–2019 season, he posted the third-fastest time for the 100-yard breaststroke for the Harvard team. Additionally, he played a crucial role in securing his team’s eighth-place finish at the 2019 NCAA Championships, earning his third Ivy League Championship ring. Schuyler Bailar now hosts workshops, programs, and a podcast promoting diversity and inclusion. He has also published a book titled “He/She/They: How We Talk About Gender and Why It Matters” in October 2023. As we ponder his stance, what are your thoughts on this debate? Comment below!

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