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Former University of Kentucky swimmer Kaitlynn Wheeler fired back at unemployed media personality Keith Olbermann after Olbermann made a personal insult against Wheeler on social media.
Olbermann responded on Wheeler and several other prominent activists, including Riley Gaines, Brooke Slusser and Stephanie Turner, spoke in court in support of protecting women’s sports.
“It’s always about finding an excuse for a life wasted trying to make it in sports without talent,” Olbermann wrote in response to Wheeler’s post.
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Keith Olbermann commented on Ronny Jackson’s update. (Paul Drinkwater/NBC NewsWire)
Wheeler was one of the women’s college swimmers who had to compete and share a locker room with former University of Pennsylvania transgender swimmer Lia Thomas at the 2022 NCAA Championships. Wheeler, who was Gaines’ teammate at the time, also earned first-team All-SEC honors and is an SEC champion in the 800 freestyle relay.
Wheeler provided a statement to PK Press Club Digital in response to Olbermann’s attack, suggesting the pundit is an “angry old man” trying to stay relevant.
“When women refuse to be silent, angry old men like Keith Olbermann lash out. That doesn’t bother me. It proves why this fight is important. We’re fighting for fairness. He’s fighting to stay relevant,” Wheeler said.
Wheeler also responded to Olbermann in several X-rated messages, making light of his employment status, while boasting about his own athletic accomplishments.
INSIDE SCOTUS HEARING WOULD BE A TURNING POINT IN CULTURAL WAR AGAINST TRANS ATHLETES IN WOMEN’S SPORTS
Kaitlynn Wheeler speaks before the U.S. Supreme Court in support of protecting women’s sports. (Courtesy of Kaitlynn Wheeler)
“You’ve been fired…multiple times, I might add. Making a career out of trolling women online is an…interesting career pivot for a disgusting old man. Meanwhile, we’re out here making a difference for girls. We’re not the same,” Wheeler wrote, later joking, “‘A life wasted trying to make it in talentless sports’ directed against an SEC champion and multiple time All-American by a man fired from almost EVERY network he affected lol… you would know a thing or two about a wasted life.”
Several prominent female athletes, women’s sports activists, defended Wheeler on social media against Olbermann.
Women’s tennis legend Martina Navratilova told Olbermann that she no longer followed him on X because of the remark.
“Seriously? Kaitlynn is right but you’re making this a nasty personal attack. Shame on you, Keith. With this kind of attack you’re no different than the other side….Unfollow….” Navratilova wrote.
Wheeler’s teammate Gaines pointed out that Olbermann had no wife or children.
“A 70[-year-old] lonely without a wife or children, spending his time obsessively targeting college-aged women online. What a miserable existence. I don’t envy you, but I pray for you,” Gaines wrote.
Carilyn Johson, a former U.S. women’s ultrarunner, suggested Olbermann was “mentally ill.”
“I used to think Keith Olbermann was just a misogynist. Now I think he’s a mentally ill misogynist. Saying something like that to a former SEC champion athlete [Wheeler] is disturbed,” Johnson wrote.
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(Left) “Countdown” host Keith Olbermann during “Decision 2010,” November 2, 2010. (Right) (Virginia Sherwood/NBCU Photo Bank/NBCUniversal via Getty Images via Getty Images; courtesy of Kaitlynn Wheeler)
Kim Jones, co-founder of the Independent Council on Women’s Sports (ICONS), wrote, “You’re digging your own grave,” in response to Olbermann.
Former University of Arizona swimmer and fellow ICONS co-founder Marshi Smith wrote, “Who is this crusty guy?”
