Australian Swimming Federation Takes Action to Suppress False Quotes Attributed to Star Athlete Mollie O’Callaghan
Swimming Australia has taken steps to suppress labeled as “fake news” and “fabricated quotes” linked to Olympic champion Mollie O’Callaghan about trans swimmer Lia Thomas.
Social Media Content Spread Fake Statements
Remarks credited to O’Callaghan but not shared from her social media accounts has appeared in posts on Facebook, as well as on X, and claimed the swimming star would not participate in the 2028 LA Games if a trans athlete is allowed to compete.
These words wrongly credited to O’Callaghan featured a controversial statement that “sharing a pool with Lia Thomas is absolutely an insult and a disgrace”.
Formal Response from Swimming Australia
The organization backed the star swimmer in a release labeled with “fake quotes attributed to Australian team member Mollie O’Callaghan”.
“There are currently made-up comments linked to team member Mollie O’Callaghan circulating on social media posts,” the organization said on Sunday.
“Not at any point has O’Callaghan been interviewed and given remarks on transgender athletes.
“The platform has been advised of the fabricated stories, and O’Callaghan and Swimming Australia have asked the items to be taken down.”
Latest Developments and Background
Content that contain the statement linked to O’Callaghan were still circulating on Facebook on the following day, while a company representative commented that “we are reviewing the request”.
The organization declined to make additional statements.
American trans swimmer Lia Thomas is prohibited from participating in the female category under existing governing body guidelines and failed to overturn the rules in the lead up to the Olympic event.
The governing body enacted regulations in recent years which forbid anyone who has gone through “any part of puberty as a male” from the women’s competition.
Regarding Mollie O’Callaghan
O’Callaghan is a five-fold gold medal winner after beating teammate Ariarne Titmus in the 200m freestyle final at the Paris event along with being part of several team victories.
The 21-year-old secured a 200m freestyle world championship crown to her accolades in Tokyo in July this year.
O’Callaghan was racing in a short course event in Indiana last weekend and beat the opponents by almost two seconds to claim the 200-meter event in a record time of 1:50.77.
