The Australian Olympic Committee has thrown its legal heft behind a backlash against the use of high-profile Australian swimmers in a political campaign against transgender inclusion in sport.
A moving billboard deployed by conservative activist group Advance in Sydney featured photos of Olympic stars Emma McKeon, Emily Seebohm and swimming legend Dawn Fraser, who have all raised questions about the fairness of transgender athletes competing at elite levels of competition.
None gave consent for the use of their image, however, and Swimming Australia threatened legal action if the billboard was not shelved. Now the AOC is preparing to descend, confirming it will send a letter via its legal team on Tuesday alleging the use of intellectual property without permission.
Central to that claim is the Olympic rings, which feature on the swimming suits of both McKeon and Seebohm. It is one of the most vigorously policed logos in the world and the International Olympic Committee forbids their reproduction without its written consent.
Meanwhile, Fraser, one of the icons of Australian sport, told the Herald and The Age she was furious with her photo being associated with the campaign to unseat independent Warringah MP Zali Steggall and had engaged her own solicitor on the matter.
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Advance declined to confirm whether it would use the billboard again, instead accusing Swimming Australia of “running cover” for Steggall as she campaigns for the upcoming federal election. Advance executive director, Matthew Sheahan, declined to return calls.
“The statements by Dawn Fraser, Emma McKeon and Emily Seebohm are all on the public record and make the compelling argument that allowing biological males to compete in girls and women’s sport just isn’t fair,” Advance said in a statement.
“The country’s best swimmers have made their views clear, so where is the sport at? Swimming Australia should be honest about what they plan to do to address the concerns of Australian parents.
AOC prepares to drop legal hammer on Advance after use of Olympic rings
Source: Philippines Alive
