Swimming Australia moves to shut down Mollie O’Callaghan ‘fake quotes’ about transgender athlete | Swimming

Swimming Australia has taken action to shut down “fake news” and “fabricated quotes” surrounding swimmer Molly O'Callaghan about transgender athlete Leah Thomas.

The comment, attributed to O'Callaghan but not posted from her social media account, appeared in posts on Facebook's Meta platform as well as X, and said the swimming star would not compete in the 2028 Los Angeles Games if a transgender swimmer was allowed to compete.

The quote falsely attributed to O'Callaghan included the provocative statement that “sharing a swimming pool with Leah Thomas is truly an insult and a disgrace.”

Swimming Australia backed the Olympic champion in a statement headlined “false quotes attributed to dolphin Molly O'Callaghan”.

“Faxed quotes attributed to Molly O'Callaghan the dolphin are currently appearing in social media posts,” Swim Australia said on Sunday.

“At no stage did O’Callaghan give an interview or make any comments about transgender athletes.

“Meta has been informed of the fake news and O’Callaghan and Swimming Australia have requested that the posts be removed.”

Posts containing quotes attributed to O'Callaghan were still visible on Facebook on Monday, and a Meta spokesperson told Guardian Australia “we are investigating the request”.

Swimming Australia declined to comment further.

American transgender athlete Thomas is prohibited from competing in the women's category under current World Aquatics Organization rules. failed to lift rules ahead of the Paris Olympics.

The governing body will introduce guidelines in 2022. which prohibit anyone who has gone through “any part of male puberty” from being in the female category.

O'Callaghan is a five-time Olympic champion after beating fellow Australian Ariarne Titmus in the 200m freestyle final at the 2024 Paris Games and was also part of four relay team victories.

21 year old guy added World Championship crown in 200m freestyle to her honors in Tokyo this July.

O'Callaghan competed at the Short Course World Cup in Indiana last weekend and beat the field by almost two seconds to break the Commonwealth record in the women's 200m freestyle with a Commonwealth record of 1:50.77.