Australian Swimming Organization Moves to Halt False Comments Attributed to Star Athlete Mollie O’Callaghan
The national swimming federation has moved to stop described as “false information” and “fabricated quotes” attributed to Olympic champion Mollie O’Callaghan regarding transgender athlete Lia Thomas.
Social Media Posts Spread Fake Claims
A statement linked to O’Callaghan but not posted from her online platforms has surfaced in updates on the social media site Facebook, as well as on Twitter, and suggested the Olympic champion would boycott in the 2028 Olympics if a transgender swimmer is allowed to participate.
The quote wrongly credited to O’Callaghan contained a controversial comment that “being in the same lane with Lia Thomas is truly an affront and a embarrassment”.
Formal Response from the Federation
The organization backed the gold medalist in a announcement titled with “fabricated comments attributed to Australian team member Mollie O’Callaghan”.
“There are currently fabricated quotes linked to Dolphin Mollie O’Callaghan circulating on online content,” the organization stated on Sunday.
“At no stage has O’Callaghan been interviewed and made statements on trans swimmers.
“Meta has been advised of the fabricated stories, and O’Callaghan and Swimming Australia have demanded the items to be taken down.”
Latest Developments and Context
Posts that contain the statement credited to O’Callaghan were still circulating on the platform on Monday, while a Meta spokesperson stated that “we are reviewing the demand”.
The federation did not offer additional statements.
United States trans swimmer Lia Thomas is barred from racing in the women’s events under present international swimming regulations and failed to overturn the policies in the run-up to the recent Games.
The governing body enacted guidelines in 2022 which prohibit anyone who has experienced “any stage of male puberty” from the female category.
About Mollie O’Callaghan
O’Callaghan is a multiple Olympic gold medallist after beating compatriot Ariarne Titmus in the freestyle event final at the Paris event along with being part of four relay team triumphs.
The young champion added a 200-meter freestyle global championship to her honours in Japan in the summer.
O’Callaghan was competing in a World Cup competition in the United States last weekend and beat the field by a significant margin to claim the 200-meter event in a Commonwealth record of one minute 50.77 seconds.