‘Let this be a lesson to all misogynistic perverts’: Australian swimmer withdraws from Olympic trials

Australian swimmer Maddie Groves has withdrawn from the Olympic trials while taking a swipe at “misogynistic perverts in the sport”.

Groves, a dual silver medallist at the 2016 Rio Olympics, announced her withdrawal from the trials on Instagram on Wednesday night.

The trials begin in Adelaide on Saturday.

Groves followed up her announcement this morning on Twitter, saying she would not stand for female swimmers being exploited.

“Let this be a lesson to all misogynistic perverts in sport and their bootlickers,” Groves tweeted.

“You can no longer exploit young women and girls, body shame or medically gaslight them and then expect them to represent you so you can earn your annual bonus.

“Time’s UP.”

Loading

The target of Groves’s comments in her tweet was not immediately clear.

The 26-year-old, who has endometriosis and adenomyosis, reposted her Tweet to Instagram, adding: “Putting this on the feed for emphasis. Make them pervs quake in fear from the number of people supporting a statement that threatens their existence.”

Last November, Groves detailed on Twitter that she had complained about a “person that works at swimming making me feel uncomfortable the way they stare at me in my togs”.

Groves alleged the perpetrator had been promoted in their area of employment.

Loading

She followed up her tweet on December 1, saying: “Woah guys this may have worked. Next time you have a weirdo stare at your tits and your complaints fall on deaf ears, try tweeting about it.

“I didn’t even say where they worked so good on that workplace for immediately knowing it’s their shitness. Did they recognise my complaint because they already had it on file”.

Loading

Swimming Australia released a statement saying it attempted to make contact with Groves late last year.

“Swimming Australia reached out to Maddie in December 2020 to enquire about a tweet sent by her that referenced potential abuse by someone connected with swimming,” the statement read.

“Maddie declined to provide further information nor do we have any previous complaints on record from Maddie.

“All allegations concerning child abuse or sexual misconduct are taken seriously by Swimming Australia.

“We consider the welfare, safety and wellbeing of children and young people as paramount, and we have a duty to make inquiries to uphold the standards of our sport.”

In her Instagram announcement on Wednesday night, Groves indicated she was not quitting swimming.

Loading

“I’m so grateful to feel so supported in this decision,” she wrote.

“I feel very relieved and I’m looking forward to racing at some other competitions later in the year (yeah sorry/not sorry, you haven’t got rid of me just yet!)

“I’m so excited to watch everyone at trials … whatever happens I genuinely think this will be one of the fastest Australian Swim Teams ever and I encourage everyone to get on the bandwagon early.”

Groves won silver medals in the 200 metres butterfly and 4×100 metres medley relay at the Rio Olympics. She has also won four Commonwealth Games gold medals.

AAP/ABC