Swimming Australia has moved to shut down “fake news” and “fabricated quotes” attributed to Olympic swimmer Mollie O'Callaghan regarding transgender athlete Lia Thomas. A quote falsely attributed to O'Callaghan appeared on Facebook and X, suggesting she would not compete in the 2028 Los Angeles Games if a transgender swimmer is allowed to participate.
The fabricated quote included the statement that “sharing a pool with Lia Thomas is truly an insult and a disgrace”. Swimming Australia issued a statement on Sunday headlined “fake quotes attributed to Dolphin Mollie O'Callaghan”, confirming that O'Callaghan had never been interviewed or provided commentary on transgender athletes.
Swimming Australia said Meta had been advised of the fake news, and both O'Callaghan and the organisation requested the posts be taken down. As of Monday, some posts remained visible on Facebook. A Meta spokesperson told Guardian Australia that “we are investigating the request”.
Lia Thomas is barred from competing in the female category under current World Aquatics guidelines, which were introduced in 2022 and prohibit anyone who has undergone “any part of male puberty” from the female category. Thomas failed to overturn these rules ahead of the Paris Olympics.
Mollie O'Callaghan is a five-time Olympic gold medallist, having won the 200m freestyle at the 2024 Paris Games and contributed to four relay triumphs. The 21-year-old also claimed the 200m freestyle world championship crown in Tokyo in July. Over the weekend, she competed in a World Cup short course meet in Indiana, winning the women's 200m freestyle in a Commonwealth record of 1:50.77.
