WHAT WAS CLAIMED
Elite athletes or their families have posted statements about their health or personal matters.
OUR VERDICT
False. The statements don’t exist, and the claims are part of a foreign-run disinformation operation.
AAP FACTCHECK - Foreign-run Facebook pages are targeting sports fans with disinformation about the health or personal lives of prominent Australian athletes.
The pages falsely suggest the families of several sports stars have issued statements announcing significant news about athletes, including swimmer Emma McKeon and former tennis player Lleyton Hewitt.
However, the statements attributed to them have been made up.
Meta's page transparency details show the Facebook pages behind the claims are run by users in Vietnam.
An August 11 post claims that McKeon's family had "shared an update" about the retired swimmer's "current situation".
"The latest details have quickly drawn attention, because behind the strong image of an Olympic champion lies a story that no one expected to hear at this moment," the post reads.
The page encourages readers to click a link to a website that suggests McKeon is going through an unspecified life struggle.
"Family members emphasized that Emma needed an extended period of peaceful rest to recharge both physically and mentally.
"They assured anxious followers that she is currently surrounded by loved ones, receiving excellent care, and focusing on wellness away from the continuous pressures of elite training," the website claims.
However, there are no credible reports that McKeon's family has made any significant announcement about the eight-time world record holder.
McKeon retired from competitive swimming in 2024 after winning 14 Olympic medals, including six golds.
Her Instagram account shows she has been active in retirement, including doing media work at the 2026 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow.
Other Vietnam-run Facebook pages have posted the same false claims about McKeon.
Another Australian elite athlete targeted by the spammers is long-distance swimmer Moesha Johnson.
An August 16 Facebook post states: "BREAKING: Five minutes ago, Australian swimming star Moesha Johnson announced that her family is currently…"
The post encourages readers to click on a link to get the full story. It leads to a website that claims Johnson has "shared a deeply emotional update regarding her family".
"The announcement has drawn an immediate wave of support from the international aquatic sports community and her dedicated supporters," the website article claims.
It also suggests Johnson is taking a break from swimming, claiming the swimming community is eagerly anticipating "Johnson's eventual return" to "active competition".
There are no credible reports that Johnson made such a statement about her family or stepping back from competitive swimming.
Johnson won a gold medal in the 10-kilometre open water swim at the Pan Pacs event in California on August 11, as reported by ABC News.
Johnson's Instagram account contains no announcements about her family that match the implied claims in the fake Facebook post.
Another common target of the posts is Australian former tennis player Rod Laver.
"Heartbreaking news has just been confirmed…" an August 18 Facebook post reads.
"The entire Australian tennis community is in shock... A deeply moving message about tennis legend Rod Laver (88) has just been widely shared."
"We extend our deepest condolences to Rod Laver and his family: 'He never opened his eyes again'," another post reads.
There's no evidence of any significant news about Laver's health around the time of the posts.
Former Wimbledon champion Lleyton Hewitt has also been the subject of similar posts.
"SAD NEWS FROM AUSTRALIA: We wish to extend our deepest condolences and heartfelt sympathy to tennis legend Lleyton Hewitt (45) during this incredibly difficult time," one post reads.
"The entire Australian tennis community and fans alike are devastated by this shocking and heartbreaking news."
The main image in the post is a doctored version of a genuine image of Hewitt that's been edited using artificial intelligence (AI).
The image, which carries the Gemini AI logo in the bottom corner, has been altered to make it appear as though Hewitt is crying.
Swimming legend Dawn Fraser is also a regular target of the fake posts, as previously covered by AAP FactCheck.
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