Australian swimming stars have publicly thanked billionaire Gina Rinehart after Commonwealth Games officials warned them against praising the mining magnate during the Glasgow competition.
Kyle Chalmers and Elijah Winnington posted glowing tributes to Rinehart after she handed Australian swimmers $1,272,500 in bonuses for winning medals and breaking Games records.
Commonwealth Games Australia had warned the Dolphins not to thank Rinehart during official media appearances because neither she nor her companies were partners of the Australian team.
The swimmers remained careful with their comments during the Games, despite Rinehart being photographed poolside with several athletes.
But Chalmers and Winnington broke their silence once the competition ended, describing the impact her financial support had made on their lives and careers.
‘Some people change lives without ever stepping onto the podium or competing!’ Chalmers wrote alongside several photographs with Rinehart.
Kyle Chalmers publicly thanked Gina Rinehart after Australian swimmers received more than $1.2million in Commonwealth Games medal bonuses
Elijah Winnington (pictured) said Rinehart had singlehandedly changed the lives of countless Australian swimmers through her long-term financial backing
Commonwealth Games Australia had warned Dolphins swimmers against praising Rinehart during official media interviews held throughout the Glasgow competition
‘Mrs Rinehart is one of the true Australian greats. Not just because of what she’s been able to achieve, but because she continues to give back to Australia and Australian sport in such a meaningful way.
‘At this year’s Commonwealth Games, she awarded $1,272,500 in medal incentive bonuses to Australian swimmers.
‘That kind of support isn’t just generous, it sends a message that all of our hard work, sacrifice and the commitment required to compete at the highest level is valued.
‘For me personally, it means I can keep chasing something I’ve dedicated my life to.
‘As a husband, a father, and someone balancing the realities of life outside the pool, support like this makes an enormous difference.
‘It gives me the opportunity to keep turning up every single day and seeing just how much I can continue to achieve.
‘Mrs Rinehart, thank you for believing in Australian athletes and for investing in our dreams. Your impact reaches far beyond our medals. I’ll never take that support for granted.’
Dolphins teammate Sam Short responded to Chalmers’ post, writing: ‘she is the reason the team is in its best spot ever’.
Sam Short claimed Rinehart was the reason Australia’s swimming team was in its best position after the Games
Winnington published his own message on Tuesday morning.
‘With the Commonwealth Games officially over, I’d like to take this opportunity to especially thank our sport’s biggest supporter… Mrs Gina Rinehart and Hancock Prospecting,’ he wrote.
‘Her ongoing support is truly appreciated and I personally am extremely grateful.
‘She has singlehandedly changed the lives of countless Australian swimmers over so many years. Thank you Mrs Rinehart.’
The public displays of gratitude followed Australia’s record-breaking performance in Glasgow.
The Dolphins collected 76 medals, including 37 gold, eclipsing the previous overall record of 73 medals achieved at Birmingham in 2022 and on the Gold Coast in 2018.
Their 37 gold medals also comfortably surpassed the previous Commonwealth Games swimming record of 28, set by Australia on the Gold Coast.
Rinehart offered $20,000 for an individual gold medal, $15,000 for silver and $10,000 for bronze. Each member of a gold medal-winning relay team received $5,000.
Lani Pallister, pictured centre, earned $80,000 after winning three individual gold medals during Australia’s record-breaking performance in the Glasgow pool
Individual world records were worth $30,000, while swimmers involved in a relay world record would have received $7,500 each. No world records were broken.
Lani Pallister received the largest payment, earning $80,000 after winning three individual gold medals.
Short earned $65,000 from three individual freestyle titles and a relay victory, while Meg Harris collected $60,000 after winning six gold medals across individual and relay events.
Chalmers and Ben Armbruster both received the full gold medal payment after dead-heating in the 50m butterfly.
The pair touched the wall together in a Games-record time of 22.73 seconds.
Rinehart congratulated the Dolphins and said the rewards recognised the work required to compete internationally.
‘Few people, outside of the swimming families, truly understand the years of hard work, discipline and sacrifice required to compete at this international level,’ she said.
‘I’m pleased to be able once again to provide financial rewards to our medal winners in the sports where I’m Patron.’
Rinehart’s sporting support previously attracted controversy when Hancock Prospecting withdrew its proposed $15million sponsorship of Netball Australia in 2022
‘It’s a way of saying thank you and showing appreciation for their dedication and achievements, the pride they make Australians feel right across our country, and for being the inspiring young ambassadors that they truly are.’
The bonus program has also prompted questions about whether athletes accepting the payments would feel comfortable criticising Rinehart, Hancock Prospecting or her political associations.
Victoria University Associate Professor Michael Burke raised the issue in an opinion piece published by The Conversation following the Games.
He also questioned whether payments limited to medal winners and record-breakers fairly recognised other members of the Australian team who had made similar commitments and sacrifices.
Rinehart’s involvement in Australian sport previously drew controversy when Hancock Prospecting withdrew a proposed $15 million sponsorship of Netball Australia in 2022.
Indigenous Diamonds player Donnell Wallam had expressed reservations about wearing the company’s logo because of comments made by Rinehart’s father, Lang Hancock, in 1984.
Several teammates supported Wallam before Hancock Prospecting withdrew its funding.
The company said at the time: ‘Hancock and its Executive Chairman Mrs Rinehart consider that it is unnecessary for sports organisations to be used for social or political causes.’
