Queensland Premier Steven Miles is bearing the brunt of the internet after claiming Tasmanian-born Olympic swimmer Ariarne Titmus as a Queenslander.
“Mollie O’Callaghan and Ariarne Titmus take Gold and Silver! Amazing performance – two Queenslanders on top of the world,” Miles wrote on X on Tuesday morning.
Sports commenters were quick to pile on the Premier to point out that Titmus, who has a pool at the Launceston Aquatic Centre named in her honour, is a self-confessed “goofy Tassie girl”.
“We can’t claim Titmus mate. Tassie girl,” one user wrote, while another said: “Where is Launceston? That’s in Queensland apparently.”
“I really liked you Miles but this is absolutely unforgivable,” said another.
Tasmanian Premier Jeremy Rockliff also weighed in on the matter, suggesting that Miles “might have better luck trying to claim the Blues after Origin”.
Titmus finished second, behind fellow Australian Mollie O’Callaghan, in the women’s 200m freestyle final at the Paris Olympics on Tuesday morning.
O’Callaghan swam an Olympic record time of 1:53.27, closely followed by Titmus at 1:53.81. Hong Kong’s Siobhan Haughey took the bronze medal with 1:54.55.
