Australian Swimming Body Takes Action to Stop False Comments Linked to Star Athlete Mollie O’Callaghan
The national swimming federation has moved to stop described as “fake news” and “fabricated quotes” associated with swimmer Mollie O’Callaghan about trans swimmer Lia Thomas.
Social Media Content Spread False Statements
A statement attributed to O’Callaghan but not published from her official profiles has appeared in posts on Facebook, as well as on the platform X, and implied the swimming star would not participate in the 2028 Olympics if a trans athlete is cleared to compete.
These words incorrectly linked to O’Callaghan included a inflammatory statement that “competing in the same pool with Lia Thomas is really an affront and a shame”.
Official Response from Swimming Australia
Swimming Australia supported the gold medalist in a statement titled with “fabricated comments associated with Australian team member Mollie O’Callaghan”.
“Currently, we see false statements credited to team member Mollie O’Callaghan seen on platform posts,” the federation stated recently.
“Not at any point has O’Callaghan spoken to media and made statements on trans swimmers.
“Facebook’s parent company has been notified of the fake news, and O’Callaghan and Swimming Australia have requested the content to be removed.”
Latest Developments and Background
Content that include the comment attributed to O’Callaghan were still visible on Facebook on the following day, while a company representative commented that “we are reviewing the demand”.
The federation refused to give additional statements.
American trans swimmer Lia Thomas is barred from participating in the female category under existing World Aquatics rules and could not change the policies in the lead up to the Paris Olympics.
The governing body put in place rules in 2022 which ban anyone who has undergone “any part of puberty as a male” from the female category.
Regarding Mollie O’Callaghan
O’Callaghan is a multiple Olympic gold medallist after defeating fellow Australian Ariarne Titmus in the 200-meter freestyle final at the Paris event along with being part of four winning relays.
O’Callaghan earned a freestyle global championship to her accolades in Japan in recent months.
O’Callaghan was participating in a international competition in Indiana recently and outpaced the field by a significant margin to win the 200-meter event in a Commonwealth record of 1:50.77.
