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Swimming Australia has taken steps to stop what it calls “fabricated stories” and “made-up statements” associated with swimmer Mollie O’Callaghan concerning trans swimmer Lia Thomas.

Social Media Posts Circulate False Statements

A comment credited to O’Callaghan but not published from her official profiles has been seen in updates on Meta platform Facebook, as well as on X, and suggested the swimming star would refuse to compete in the Los Angeles Olympics if a transgender swimmer is permitted to compete.

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

Formal Statement from the Federation

Swimming Australia stood by the gold medalist in a release titled with “false statements linked to Dolphin Mollie O’Callaghan”.

“There are currently false statements attributed to team member Mollie O’Callaghan seen on platform posts,” Swimming Australia announced this past Sunday.

“Not at any point has O’Callaghan been interviewed and made statements on this issue.

“The platform has been notified of the fabricated stories, and O’Callaghan and Swimming Australia have asked the content to be deleted.”

Latest Developments and Background

Content that feature the statement linked to O’Callaghan were still visible on the platform on Monday, while a Meta spokesperson commented that “we are reviewing the demand”.

The organization did not offer more details.

American transgender athlete Lia Thomas is banned from racing in the female category under existing governing body regulations and could not change the rules in the run-up to the recent Games.

The governing body put in place regulations in 2022 which forbid anyone who has experienced “any phase of male puberty” from the women’s division.

Regarding Mollie O’Callaghan

O’Callaghan is a multiple champion after outpacing fellow Australian Ariarne Titmus in the 200m freestyle championship race at the recent Olympics along with being part of several team victories.

The young champion added a freestyle world championship crown to her achievements in Japan in the summer.

O’Callaghan was competing in a short course event in Indiana recently and beat the field by nearly two seconds to claim the 200-meter event in a new best of a record time.