Aussie swimmers have been rewarded with more than just medals at the Commonwealth Games, with Gina Rinehart awarding more than $1.2 million in bonus payments to athletes who reached the podium.
Under the billionaire’s incentive scheme, swimmers in Glasgow received $20,000 for a gold medal, $15,000 for silver and $10,000 for bronze. Athletes who broke a world record were also eligible for an extra $30,000 bonus.
Relay swimmers received $5,000 each for gold, $3,750 for silver and $2,500 for bronze, while those who competed only in the heats received half those amounts.
Six days of swimming competition concluded on Thursday morning, with the Dolphins recording their biggest-ever Commonwealth Games medal haul in the pool, winning 37 gold, 16 silver and 23 bronze medals.
The result means Mrs Rinehart and Hancock Prospecting will pay out a total of $1,272,500, with athletes expected to receive their bonuses within two weeks of the Games ending.
Mrs Rinehart said the athletes had earned the rewards through their dedication and success in the pool.
‘Few people, outside of the swimming families, truly understand the years of hard work, discipline and sacrifice required to compete at this international level, but yet again, our Aussie swimmers punched well above our population size,’ she said.
‘This success also reflects the years of sacrifice from parents, coaches and volunteers behind the scenes who help the swimmers make these fantastic results possible.’
Aussie swimmers have benefited from more than just a medal at these Commonwealth Games, with Gina Rinehart awarding a share of more than 1.2 million in bonuses for those who made the podium
Australia’s most successful swimmer in Glasgow was Meg Harris who won six golds, with four coming in the relay, earning a bonus of $60,000 under the scheme
‘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.’
Jeff Winnington, Swimming Queensland director and father of Glasgow silver medallist Elijah Winnington, said Mrs Rinehart’s support had made an ‘enormous difference’ to Australian swimming.
‘As a father, I have seen firsthand how that backing has helped my son focus on his training, compete at his best and represent his country without the financial pressures many athletes face,’ he said.
‘Without Mrs Rinehart’s contribution, there is no doubt Australia would not have achieved the same success on the medal table not only in Glasgow, but from other international Games as well.’
The Australian swimming team has always dominated the pool at the Commonwealth Games, topping the medal tally at every edition since 1982.
An integral part of the nation’s dominance was six -time gold medalist Cate Campbell who said Mrs Rinehart’s generosity was a reason for the success.
‘When people ask why Australian swimmers are performing so strongly, I think back to the London Olympics, where I was part of the relay team that won Australia’s only gold swimming medal,’ she said.
‘At a time when Australian swimming was struggling and support for the team was unfashionable, Mrs Rinehart stepped in.
‘Her continued support helped save the team and rebuild the sport and has played a critical role in the successes that our swimmers have achieved since.’
Australia’s most successful swimmer in Glasgow was Meg Harris who won six golds, with four coming in the relay, earning a bonus of $60,000 under the scheme.