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Swimming Australia has taken steps to stop labeled as “fake news” and “fabricated quotes” linked to swimmer Mollie O’Callaghan regarding transgender athlete Lia Thomas.

Social Media Content Spread Inaccurate Statements

Remarks linked to O’Callaghan but not published from her online platforms has surfaced in posts on the social media site Facebook, as well as on X, and implied the swimming star would refuse to compete in the 2028 Olympics if a transgender swimmer is cleared to race.

The statement falsely attributed to O’Callaghan contained a provocative statement that “being in the same lane with Lia Thomas is truly an affront and a embarrassment”.

Formal Response from the Federation

The national body supported the gold medalist in a statement titled with “fake quotes linked to Dolphin Mollie O’Callaghan”.

“At present, there are false statements credited to team member Mollie O’Callaghan appearing on social media posts,” the federation said on Sunday.

“At no stage has O’Callaghan given an interview and given remarks on trans swimmers.

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

Current Status and Background

Updates that contain the statement credited to O’Callaghan were still circulating on Facebook on Monday, while a platform official stated that “we are investigating the demand”.

Swimming Australia did not offer further comment.

American trans swimmer Lia Thomas is prohibited from racing in the women’s division under existing governing body regulations and failed to overturn the rules in the run-up to the recent Games.

The governing body introduced rules in recent years which prohibit anyone who has experienced “any phase of male puberty” from the female category.

About Mollie O’Callaghan

O’Callaghan is a five-time champion after outpacing teammate Ariarne Titmus in the 200-meter freestyle final at the 2024 Paris Games along with being part of several team victories.

The young champion added a 200-meter freestyle world championship crown to her achievements in Tokyo in the summer.

O’Callaghan was racing in a international event in Indiana last weekend and defeated the competitors by nearly two seconds to take out the freestyle race in a Commonwealth record of 1:50.77.