Mollie O'Callaghan, the 21-year-old Australian swimming champion, has been forced to deny fake quotes attributed to her on social media.

What happened?

The fake quote suggested O'Callaghan would not participate in the 2028 Olympics if a transgender athlete was allowed to compete.

The quote was shared across Facebook and X, sparking controversy with provocative language, including "insult" and "disgrace".

Why it matters for Mollie O'Callaghan

Swimming Australia released a statement to clarify that the quote was completely made up and that O'Callaghan had not been interviewed on the topic.

The statement said: "There are currently fabricated quotes attributed to Dolphin Mollie O'Callaghan appearing on social media posts."

What comes next?

Meta has been advised of the fake news, and O'Callaghan and Swimming Australia have requested the posts to be taken down.

O'Callaghan is one of Australia's biggest stars in the pool, having won gold in the 200m freestyle at last year's Olympics in Paris.

She has also won four other gold medals in relay teams and confirmed her status as the world's best in the 200m with gold in the world championships three months ago.

The incident highlights the importance of verifying information on social media to avoid spreading false news.

Mollie O'Callaghan's achievements in the pool include winning gold in the 200m freestyle at the Olympics in Paris, finishing ahead of compatriot Ariarne Titmus.

Her success in the world championships has solidified her position as a top athlete in the sport.

The request to remove the fake posts has been made to prevent further misinformation about O'Callaghan's views on transgender athletes.

The situation has sparked a conversation about the importance of accuracy in reporting and the potential consequences of spreading false information.

O'Callaghan's focus remains on her training and upcoming competitions, with the 2028 Olympics on the horizon.

The Australian swimming team will be looking to build on their success in recent years, with O'Callaghan playing a key role in their medal hopes.

The team's performance in the world championships has set a high standard for the upcoming Olympics.

Mollie O'Callaghan's dedication to her sport and her commitment to excellence have made her a role model for young athletes.

Her achievements serve as an inspiration to those looking to follow in her footsteps.

The swimming community will be watching her progress closely as she prepares for the next major competition.