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Swimming Australia has taken steps to suppress what it calls “fabricated stories” and “fabricated quotes” linked to swimmer Mollie O’Callaghan about trans swimmer Lia Thomas.

Social Media Content Circulate False Claims

A comment credited to O’Callaghan but not published from her official profiles has been seen in updates on the social media site Facebook, as well as on Twitter, and suggested the swimming star would refuse to compete in the 2028 LA Games if a transgender athlete is cleared to participate.

The quote falsely attributed to O’Callaghan included a controversial remark that “competing in the same pool with Lia Thomas is really an insult and a disgrace”.

Official Statement from the Federation

The national body stood by the Olympic champion in a announcement headlined with “fabricated comments attributed to Dolphin Mollie O’Callaghan”.

“There are currently made-up comments credited to team member Mollie O’Callaghan seen on online content,” the federation said recently.

“At no stage has O’Callaghan given an interview and made statements on this issue.

“Facebook’s parent company has been notified of the fabricated stories, and O’Callaghan and the federation have asked the content to be deleted.”

Current Status and Context

Updates that feature the comment attributed to O’Callaghan were still visible on Facebook on the following day, while a platform official commented that “we are reviewing the demand”.

The organization declined to make more details.

American transgender athlete Lia Thomas is banned from racing in the female category under current World Aquatics rules and failed to overturn the rules in the run-up to the Paris Olympics.

World Aquatics put in place regulations in recent years which ban anyone who has experienced “any phase of puberty as a male” from the female category.

About Mollie O’Callaghan

O’Callaghan is a multiple champion after defeating teammate Ariarne Titmus in the 200m freestyle championship race at the Paris event along with being part of four winning relays.

O’Callaghan added a 200m freestyle world title to her achievements in Japan in the summer.

O’Callaghan was competing in a international event in the United States over the weekend and beat the field by nearly two seconds to take out the women’s 200m freestyle in a record time of a record time.