Swimming Organization Acts to Suppress Fake Statements Attributed to Star Athlete Mollie O’Callaghan
The national swimming federation has moved to shut down labeled as “false information” and “fabricated quotes” linked to Olympic champion Mollie O’Callaghan regarding transgender athlete Lia Thomas.
Social Media Posts Circulate False Statements
A statement attributed to O’Callaghan but not posted from her online platforms has been seen in content on Facebook, as well as on X, and suggested the Olympic champion would boycott in the Los Angeles Olympics if a transgender swimmer is allowed to compete.
The statement falsely attributed to O’Callaghan featured a inflammatory remark that “competing in the same pool with Lia Thomas is truly an disgrace and a embarrassment”.
Official Response from the Federation
The national body supported the gold medalist in a announcement labeled with “fake quotes linked to Australian team member Mollie O’Callaghan”.
“Currently, we see false statements attributed to Dolphin Mollie O’Callaghan seen on platform posts,” the federation stated on Sunday.
“Not at any point has O’Callaghan spoken to media and given remarks on this issue.
“Facebook’s parent company has been advised of the fake news, and O’Callaghan and Swimming Australia have asked the content to be taken down.”
Current Status and Context
Updates that include the quote credited to O’Callaghan were still online on Facebook on the following day, while a Meta spokesperson said that “we are reviewing the demand”.
The federation declined to make additional statements.
United States transgender athlete Lia Thomas is barred from racing in the female category under existing World Aquatics rules and failed to overturn the regulations in the period before the Paris Olympics.
The governing body put in place regulations in recent years which prohibit anyone who has undergone “any part of male puberty” from the women’s division.
About Mollie O’Callaghan
O’Callaghan is a multiple champion after beating fellow Australian Ariarne Titmus in the 200m freestyle final at the 2024 Paris Games along with contributing to four winning relays.
O’Callaghan added a freestyle world championship crown to her accolades in Tokyo in July this year.
O’Callaghan was participating in a short course short course meet in Indiana recently and outpaced the opponents by nearly two seconds to claim the women’s 200m freestyle in a new best of a record time.