Debunking Fake Posts on Olympic Swimming Boycott
AAP FactCheck has found that claims of Australian Olympian Mollie O'Callaghan boycotting the 2028 Olympics if US transgender swimmer Lia Thomas participates are false.
The quotes attributed to O'Callaghan, a five-time gold medallist, have been fabricated and do not match any of her public remarks.
- Swimming Australia and the Australian Sports Commission (ASC) have confirmed that the quotes are fake.
- A Facebook post from a page called 'Swimming Life' falsely quotes O'Callaghan as saying she will not participate if Thomas competes.
- The same claim has been shared by other pages, attracting several million views.
"I will not participate in the 2028 Olympics if that MAN, Lia Thomas, is allowed to compete. Let him swim in the men's category."
These quotes are entirely fabricated and have no basis in reality.
Author's summary: Fake social media posts falsely claim Mollie O'Callaghan will boycott the 2028 Olympics.