Aussie swimmer Maddie Groves’ fierce attack on ‘misogynistic perverts’

‘Don’t f***ing tell me I’m brave’: Aussie swimming sensation launches an extraordinary attack on ‘misogynistic perverts’ in the sport as she BOYCOTTS the Tokyo Olympic Games

• Australian butterfly specialist Maddie Groves withdraws from Olympic trials
• Groves, 26, then launched scathing messages at unnamed swimming figures
• ‘Let this be a lesson to all misogynistic perverts in sport,’ she wrote on Instagram 

By Peter Vincent For Daily Mail Australia

Published: 08:04 BST, 10 June 2021 | Updated: 08:16 BST, 10 June 2021

A decorated Australian swimmer has angrily withdrawn from the upcoming Olympic Games, issuing a series of furious statements, including one directed at ‘misogynistic perverts’.

Maddie Groves, 26, winner of two Olympic silver medals at Rio and and two Commonwealth golds, announced on Wednesday she would not swim at the Olympic trials at Adelaide, due to begin this weekend.

Groves posted that she felt ‘supported’ in her decision and vowed to return to racing later in 2021.

Decorated Australian swimmer Maddie Groves has angrily withdrawn from the upcoming Olympic Games, issuing a series of furious statements, including one directed at ‘misogynistic perverts’

Maddie Groves poses on the podium during the Women’s 200m Butterfly medal ceremony at the Tollcross International Swimming Centre in 2014 after winning a bronze medal

She received supportive messages from several Australian athletes on social media, including Olympic diver Brittany O’Brien, Olympic silver medallist Taylor McKeown and Paralympian Monique Murphy.

Groves was entered in the 100m butterfly and 50m freestyle events at the trials in Adelaide, which start on Saturday. 

Groves then followed up her initial post with several attacks on Thursday, with unnamed targets – apparently in the Australian swimming community – in mind.

‘Let this be a lesson to all misogynistic perverts in sport and their boot lickers,’ her furious post said on Thursday morning.’

‘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.’

She then added, ‘Make them pervs quake in fear from the number of people supporting a statement that threatens their existence.’

Groves posted that she felt ‘supported’ in her decision and vowed to return to racing later in 2021

Groves was entered in the 100m butterfly and 50m freestyle events at the trials in Adelaide

Another message, posted to her Instagram story read, ‘If you or your partner have contributed to an environment that’s unsupportive of people with chronic illness or made decisions around cutting athlete funding in the last four years do not f***ing DM me telling me I’m brave for pulling out of the Olympic trials.’

‘What’s brave is showing your face in a community you’ve ripped off for the sake of your own career.’

It seems likely Groves’ furious statements were prompted by a private message she may have received on social media. 

Groves has posted on Instagram that she has both endometriosis and adenomyosis – both conditions relating to abnormal growth of the uterus that can result in heavy and painful menstrual bleeding.

‘I’m not ready to have babies yet but it’s scary to think because I have endometriosis and adenomyosis, I could face issues with infertility,’ she said on Instagram in April.  

The Olympian wrote a scathing message on Instagram  (pictured) – apparently directed at members of the Australian swimming community.