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Swimming Australia has acted to stop what it calls “false information” and “false comments” linked to swimmer Mollie O’Callaghan concerning trans swimmer Lia Thomas.

Social Media Content Circulate Inaccurate Statements

A statement attributed to O’Callaghan but not posted from her online platforms has surfaced in posts on Facebook, as well as on the platform X, and suggested the swimming star would boycott in the Los Angeles Olympics if a transgender athlete is cleared to participate.

The quote incorrectly linked to O’Callaghan included a inflammatory remark that “being in the same lane with Lia Thomas is really an disgrace and a shame”.

Official Response from Swimming Australia

The national body stood by the star swimmer in a statement titled with “false statements linked to Australian team member Mollie O’Callaghan”.

“There are currently made-up comments linked to Dolphin Mollie O’Callaghan appearing on social media posts,” the federation announced recently.

“Not at any point has O’Callaghan given an interview and given remarks on this issue.

“The platform has been informed of the false information, and O’Callaghan and the federation have demanded the content to be deleted.”

Latest Developments and Context

Content that feature the statement attributed to O’Callaghan were still visible on the platform on the following day, while a company representative stated that “we are looking into the request”.

Swimming Australia declined to make additional statements.

American transgender athlete Lia Thomas is barred from participating in the women’s events under present World Aquatics guidelines and was unable to challenge the policies in the lead up to the Olympic event.

World Aquatics put in place guidelines in 2022 which forbid anyone who has gone through “any phase of puberty as a male” from the female category.

About Mollie O’Callaghan

O’Callaghan is a five-fold gold medal winner after outpacing compatriot Ariarne Titmus in the 200-meter freestyle championship race at the 2024 Paris Games along with being part of four relay team triumphs.

O’Callaghan added a 200-meter freestyle world title to her accolades in Japan in recent months.

O’Callaghan was participating in a short course event in the United States last weekend and beat the field by a significant margin to win the women’s 200m freestyle in a new best of a record time.