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Swimming Australia has taken steps to shut down described as “fake news” and “made-up statements” attributed to swimmer Mollie O’Callaghan concerning trans swimmer Lia Thomas.

Social Media Posts Spread Inaccurate Statements

A statement credited to O’Callaghan but not published from her social media accounts has surfaced in content on Facebook, as well as on X, and suggested the swimming star would boycott in the Los Angeles Olympics if a transgender swimmer is cleared to compete.

These words falsely attributed to O’Callaghan included a provocative comment that “competing in the same pool with Lia Thomas is truly an insult and a embarrassment”.

Official Response from the Federation

Swimming Australia supported the star swimmer in a announcement headlined with “false statements attributed to Dolphin Mollie O’Callaghan”.

“There are currently made-up comments linked to Dolphin Mollie O’Callaghan seen on platform posts,” the federation announced recently.

“At no stage has O’Callaghan been interviewed and provided commentary on trans swimmers.

“Facebook’s parent company has been informed of the false information, and O’Callaghan and Swimming Australia have demanded the posts to be removed.”

Current Status and Background

Posts that include the statement attributed to O’Callaghan were still online on Facebook on Monday, while a platform official commented that “we are reviewing the demand”.

The organization refused to give further comment.

American transgender athlete Lia Thomas is barred from competing in the female category under present international swimming guidelines and failed to overturn the regulations in the period before the recent Games.

World Aquatics introduced regulations in 2022 which prohibit anyone who has experienced “any stage of male development” from the women’s division.

About Mollie O’Callaghan

O’Callaghan is a multiple champion after outpacing teammate Ariarne Titmus in the 200-meter freestyle championship race at the Paris event along with being part of four relay team triumphs.

The young champion added a freestyle global championship to her accolades in Tokyo in recent months.

O’Callaghan was competing in a international short course meet in Indiana recently and beat the competitors by almost two seconds to claim the women’s 200m freestyle in a record time of a record time.