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Fox News
5 days ago
- General
- Fox News
Riley Gaines challenges ex-ESPN host to race after he says she was a 'worse swimmer' than she is 'MAGA stooge'
FIRST ON FOX: Riley Gaines clapped back at former ESPN and MSNBC host Keith Olbermann with an official challenge for charity on Wednesday after he said Gaines "was, somehow, a worse swimmer than she is a MAGA stooge." Olbermann, the ex-host of both MSNBC's Countdown with Keith Olbermann and ESPN's SportsCenter, quoted an X post of Education Secretary Linda McMahon telling Fox News' America Reports that Gaines "would have clearly won" her race if Gaines didn't have to compete against transgender swimmer Lia Thomas. "[Riley Gaines] finished 85th in the Olympic Trials," Olbermann posted to X. "She finished tied for 5th in the only race including a transgendered athlete. If there had been none she MIGHT have finished tied for 4th, or had 5th place to herself." The 12-time National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) All-American responded on X, noting she "placed 85th at Olympic trials when I was 15/16." "I was one of the youngest there," Gaines explained. "And I placed 5th *in the nation* in a sport measured in .01s of a second without going a best. Would you say the 5th best college football player is objectively bad at their sport?" The "Gaines for Girls" podcast host told Fox News Digital she is now officially challenging Keith Olbermann to a race for charity. The event would be a 200-yard freestyle at a location of Olbermann's choice sometime before August 31 of this year. The winner of the race will pick which charitable organization the proceeds would go to and the total wager to be donated would be set if Olbermann agrees. The 25-year-old University of Kentucky alumnus told Fox that Olbermann "could do a 150" yard freestyle, while she still swims 200 yards, if it incentivized him to compete in the charitable challenge. A spokesperson for Olbermann did not respond to Fox News Digital's request for comment. While Gaines and Olbermann sparred on X, President Donald Trump blasted California governor Gavin Newsom earlier this week as the California Interscholastic Federation (CIF) cleared the way for a transgender athlete to compete in a women's state championship track meet this upcoming weekend. "California, under the leadership of Radical Left Democrat Gavin Newscum, continues to ILLEGALLY allow "MEN TO PLAY IN WOMEN'S SPORTS.;" Trump posted to Truth Social. "This week a transitioned Male athlete, at a major event, won "everything," and is now qualified to compete in the "State Finals" next weekend." President Trump signed an Executive Order on Feb 5th in an attempt to outright ban men from competing in women's sports. Trump went on to explain that if the Golden State did not comply with this executive order, federal funding could be revoked. "THIS IS NOT FAIR, AND TOTALLY DEMEANING TO WOMEN AND GIRLS," the president continued in his post. "Please be hereby advised that large scale Federal Funding will be held back, maybe permanently, if the Executive Order on this subject matter is not adhered to." Newsom's office released a statement supporting the transgender athlete's participation in the upcoming state championship. Preston Mizell is a writer with Fox News Digital covering breaking news. Story tips can be sent to and on X @MizellPreston
Sky News AU
22-05-2025
- Politics
- Sky News AU
'Can't stand for this': California girls' track athlete opens up on losing first place title to trans competitor
A high school track meet became the latest flashpoint in the fight against boys participating in girls' sports after multiple female competitors fell shy of first place to a biologically male trans athlete. A high school track meet in Southern California became the latest flashpoint in the state's ongoing conflict with President Donald Trump's administration over trans athletes in girls' sports. There, multiple girls' competitors fell shy of first place to a biologically male trans athlete. The California Interscholastic Federation (CIF) Southern Section Final on Saturday saw the trans athlete take first place in the triple jump and long jump. The second-place finisher in the long jump was Katie McGuinness of La Canada High School. McGuinness recounted the experience of losing to the trans athlete in an interview on Fox News' "America Reports." "I remember thinking to myself, 'OK, I need to get a big jump,'" McGuinness said. "I ran down the runway and I landed and I watched them measure my mark, and it was 18.9," she said. "And I just remember thinking that there was nothing else that I could do. That was it. And I was honestly very discouraged, and I'm a high school senior and winning CIF has always been a goal of mine, and I wasn't able to compete with someone who was genetically different than me." McGuinness made her overall stance on the issue clear. "There are just certain genetic advantages that biological males have that biological girls don't," she said. "Frankly, I just can't stand for that." The second-place finisher to the trans athlete in triple jump, Reese Hogan of Crean Lutheran High School, made it a point to stand on the first-place podium spot for a quick and symbolic photo op. Footage of Hogan taking the top podium spot after the trans athlete stepped off went viral on social media over the weekend. Hogan had just competed against the trans athlete in the prelims a week earlier. At that event, Hogan also came in behind the trans athlete in the triple jump, finishing third, and would have placed one spot higher were it not for the trans athlete. But Hogan did finish ahead of the trans athlete in the high jump. "It's just kind of sad just watching. He's obviously a really talented athlete, we've all seen him jump and stuff, and I wish him the best of luck, but in a boys' division," Hogan previously told Fox News Digital about competing against the athlete. "It's pretty obvious the certain advantages that he has, and it's obviously just sad as a woman to watch that." Hogan also spoke at a press conference to protest the trans athlete at the prelims and wore a shirt that read, "Protect Girls Sports." "It was nothing against the athlete itself, it was just an issue of fairness," Hogan previously said. "Nothing that we can do, no amount of training, no amount of hours that we put in, we could never achieve the same amount of advantages that a man can have." — Riley Gaines (@Riley_Gaines_) May 18, 2025 The CIF track and field postseason has been overshadowed by the controversy involving the trans athlete, garnering national scrutiny against the CIF and California Gov. Gavin Newsom. A U.S. Department of Education spokesperson sent a warning to the state in the days leading up to the CIF Southern Section final, referencing previous reports that CIF officials made competitors remove their Protect Girls Sports shirts. "CIF's and Jurupa Valley High School's apparent flouting of federal civil rights law by allowing a male athlete to compete in a female California track and field [Southern Sectional Division 3 final] this Saturday, and the alleged retaliation against the girls who are protesting this, is indefensible," Julie Hartman, a Department of Education spokesperson, told Fox News Digital. The CIF is already under a federal Title IX investigation over the state's trans-inclusion practices. The U.S. Department of Education launched an investigation against CIF in February after President Donald Trump signed the Keeping Men Out of Women's Sports executive order. The CIF was one of the first high school sports leagues in the country to announce it would defy the order. Newsom, in a February episode of his podcast, said he believes trans athletes competing in girls' sports is "deeply unfair" but has not taken any steps as governor to change the state's policies. The state has had a law in place that allows trans athletes to compete with females since 2014. "California Gov. Gavin Newsom, who, in a startling moment of moral clarity, recently remarked that it was 'deeply unfair' for men to compete in women's sports," Hartman continued. "Where is Gov. Newsom now? With or without the governor, the Trump administration's Department of Education's commitment is unwavering: We will not allow institutions to trample upon women's civil rights. OCR's (Office of Civil Rights) investigation into CIF continues with vigor." The trans athlete represents Jurupa Valley High School. The Jurupa Unified School District provided a statement to Fox News Digital in response to the Department of Education's statement. "JUSD continues to follow both California law and CIF policy regarding school athletics. Both state law and CIF policy currently require that students be permitted to participate in athletic teams and competitions consistent with their gender identity, irrespective of the gender listed on the pupil's records. JUSD remains committed to protecting the rights and safety of the students we serve, in accordance with applicable state and federal laws," the statement reads. Originally published as 'Can't stand for this': California girls' track athlete opens up on losing first place title to trans competitor
New York Post
22-05-2025
- Politics
- New York Post
Girls' track athlete opens up on losing title to California trans competitor: ‘Nothing that we can do'
A high school track meet in Southern California became the latest flashpoint in the state's ongoing conflict with President Donald Trump's administration over trans athletes in girls' sports. There, multiple girls' competitors fell shy of first place to a biologically male trans athlete. The California Interscholastic Federation (CIF) Southern Section Final on Saturday saw the trans athlete take first place in the triple jump and long jump. The second-place finisher in the long jump was Katie McGuinness of La Canada High School. McGuinness recounted the experience of losing to the trans athlete in an interview on Fox News' 'America Reports.' 'I remember thinking to myself, 'OK, I need to get a big jump,'' McGuinness said. 'I ran down the runway and I landed and I watched them measure my mark, and it was 18.9,' she said. 'And I just remember thinking that there was nothing else that I could do. That was it. And I was honestly very discouraged, and I'm a high school senior and winning CIF has always been a goal of mine, and I wasn't able to compete with someone who was genetically different than me.' McGuinness made her overall stance on the issue clear. 4 Katie McGuinness recounted losing to the trans athlete, Reese Hogan. FOX News 'There are just certain genetic advantages that biological males have that biological girls don't,' she said. 'Frankly, I just can't stand for that.' The second-place finisher to the trans athlete in triple jump, Reese Hogan of Crean Lutheran High School, made it a point to stand on the first-place podium spot for a quick and symbolic photo op. Footage of Hogan taking the top podium spot after the trans athlete stepped off went viral on social media over the weekend. Hogan had just competed against the trans athlete in the prelims a week earlier. At that event, Hogan also came in behind the trans athlete in the triple jump, finishing third, and would have placed one spot higher were it not for the trans athlete. But Hogan did finish ahead of the trans athlete in the high jump. 4 Multiple girls' competitors fell shy of first place to a biologically male trans athlete. MediaNews Group via Getty Images 'It's just kind of sad just watching. He's obviously a really talented athlete, we've all seen him jump and stuff, and I wish him the best of luck, but in a boys' division,' Hogan previously told Fox News Digital about competing against the athlete. 'It's pretty obvious the certain advantages that he has, and it's obviously just sad as a woman to watch that.' Hogan also spoke at a press conference to protest the trans athlete at the prelims and wore a shirt that read, 'Protect Girls Sports.' 'It was nothing against the athlete itself, it was just an issue of fairness,' Hogan previously said. 'Nothing that we can do, no amount of training, no amount of hours that we put in, we could never achieve the same amount of advantages that a man can have.' The CIF track and field postseason has been overshadowed by the controversy involving the trans athlete, garnering national scrutiny against the CIF and California Gov. Gavin Newsom. A U.S. Department of Education spokesperson sent a warning to the state in the days leading up to the CIF Southern Section final, referencing previous reports that CIF officials made competitors remove their Protect Girls Sports shirts. 4 The CIF track and field postseason has been overshadowed by the controversy involving the trans athlete. FOX News 'CIF's and Jurupa Valley High School's apparent flouting of federal civil rights law by allowing a male athlete to compete in a female California track and field [Southern Sectional Division 3 final] this Saturday, and the alleged retaliation against the girls who are protesting this, is indefensible,' Julie Hartman, a Department of Education spokesperson, told Fox News Digital. The CIF is already under a federal Title IX investigation over the state's trans-inclusion practices. The U.S. Department of Education launched an investigation against CIF in February after President Donald Trump signed the Keeping Men Out of Women's Sports executive order. The CIF was one of the first high school sports leagues in the country to announce it would defy the order. Newsom, in a February episode of his podcast, said he believes trans athletes competing in girls' sports is 'deeply unfair' but has not taken any steps as governor to change the state's policies. The state has had a law in place that allows trans athletes to compete with females since 2014. 4 McGuinness finished seventh in the women's high jump invitational during the 2025 Arcadia Invitational at Arcadia High School in Arcadia on Saturday, April 12, 2025. MediaNews Group via Getty Images 'California Gov. Gavin Newsom, who, in a startling moment of moral clarity, recently remarked that it was 'deeply unfair' for men to compete in women's sports,' Hartman continued. 'Where is Gov. Newsom now? With or without the governor, the Trump administration's Department of Education's commitment is unwavering: We will not allow institutions to trample upon women's civil rights. OCR's (Office of Civil Rights) investigation into CIF continues with vigor.' The trans athlete represents Jurupa Valley High School. The Jurupa Unified School District provided a statement to Fox News Digital in response to the Department of Education's statement. 'JUSD continues to follow both California law and CIF policy regarding school athletics. Both state law and CIF policy currently require that students be permitted to participate in athletic teams and competitions consistent with their gender identity, irrespective of the gender listed on the pupil's records. JUSD remains committed to protecting the rights and safety of the students we serve, in accordance with applicable state and federal laws,' the statement reads.
Yahoo
03-05-2025
- Yahoo
Father presses for answers in college freshman daughter's death after fall from dorm: 'She was our world'
A Washington state father is pressing for answers about the investigation into his 18-year-old daughter's on-campus death at a California university earlier this year. Liz Hamel, 18, was found unconscious outside a dorm on the campus of the University of California Santa Barbara Feb. 14 after apparently falling from a breezeway. She died days later. But what happened leading up to her death remains a mystery. "Over the past few months, we've been briefed by UC Santa Barbara PD, and they've been very kind to us. They've been … empathetic. But, of course, since it's an ongoing investigation, they can't give us a tremendous amount of details," Alain Hamel, Liz's father, told Fox News "America Reports" co-anchor Sandra Smith in an interview Friday. New England Serial Killer Fears Heighten After Eighth Idyllic Town Rocked By Gruesome Discovery Hamel, who lives in Seattle, told Fox News his family reached out to the community this week for help finding a man who was with his daughter the night she fell. Within 24 hours, university police were able to talk to the person of interest. Read On The Fox News App "I think it was incredibly successful. … I can't say enough for Santa Barbara. It was so fast. They really helped us so much to move the investigation forward," Hamel said. "I'm not the police. I am on the outside, but it seems like they really moved it forward." "An individual who was identified in relation to the incident at our residence hall has been located and interviewed," UC Santa Barbara said in a statement. "The investigation is still ongoing, and we cannot discuss any additional details at this time. UCPD is keeping the family informed and is working closely with (the) Santa Barbara District Attorney's Office. Yosemite National Park Employee Dies From Mysterious Injuries In Staff Housing "UCPD is committed to continue its comprehensive investigation to seek answers related to this tragic event and has been working closely with the district attorney's office and the sheriff's office since the early stages of the investigation." Hamel said he doesn't know the man who was with his daughter and neither did his daughter's friends. He is not a suspect in her death. Hamel said, as far as he knows, they met at a noodle bar that night, "and they hit it off, and it was Valentine's Day. So, I think that might've had something to do with it. And, yeah, they were photographed together only from a certain angle. And then they left a little after 10:06 (p.m.). And then, to my knowledge, at 10:27 is when she was found unconscious, having fallen from that breezeway." "She was great," Hamel said of his daughter. "She was our world. She's our only child. And she was everything to us. She was a real joy. And you know, we were so lucky to have 18 years with her. We wish we had more time." A tipline is available at 805-335-3851 for anyone with information surrounding Liz's article source: Father presses for answers in college freshman daughter's death after fall from dorm: 'She was our world'
Fox News
03-05-2025
- Fox News
Father presses for answers in college freshman daughter's death after fall from dorm: 'She was our world'
A Washington state father is pressing for answers about the investigation into his 18-year-old daughter's on-campus death at a California university earlier this year. Liz Hamel, 18, was found unconscious outside a dorm on the campus of the University of California Santa Barbara Feb. 14 after apparently falling from a breezeway. She died days later. But what happened leading up to her death remains a mystery. "Over the past few months, we've been briefed by UC Santa Barbara PD, and they've been very kind to us. They've been … empathetic. But, of course, since it's an ongoing investigation, they can't give us a tremendous amount of details," Alain Hamel, Liz's father, told Fox News "America Reports" co-anchor Sandra Smith in an interview Friday. Hamel, who lives in Seattle, told Fox News his family reached out to the community this week for help finding a man who was with his daughter the night she fell. Within 24 hours, university police were able to talk to the person of interest. "I think it was incredibly successful. … I can't say enough for Santa Barbara. It was so fast. They really helped us so much to move the investigation forward," Hamel said. "I'm not the police. I am on the outside, but it seems like they really moved it forward." "An individual who was identified in relation to the incident at our residence hall has been located and interviewed," UC Santa Barbara said in a statement. "The investigation is still ongoing, and we cannot discuss any additional details at this time. UCPD is keeping the family informed and is working closely with (the) Santa Barbara District Attorney's Office. "UCPD is committed to continue its comprehensive investigation to seek answers related to this tragic event and has been working closely with the district attorney's office and the sheriff's office since the early stages of the investigation." Hamel said he doesn't know the man who was with his daughter and neither did his daughter's friends. He is not a suspect in her death. Hamel said, as far as he knows, they met at a noodle bar that night, "and they hit it off, and it was Valentine's Day. So, I think that might've had something to do with it. And, yeah, they were photographed together only from a certain angle. And then they left a little after 10:06 (p.m.). And then, to my knowledge, at 10:27 is when she was found unconscious, having fallen from that breezeway." "She was great," Hamel said of his daughter. "She was our world. She's our only child. And she was everything to us. She was a real joy. And you know, we were so lucky to have 18 years with her. We wish we had more time." A tipline is available at 805-335-3851 for anyone with information surrounding Liz's death.
