Rinehart, who also supports Swimming Queensland’s development program and Australia’s artistic swimmers, believes that few people truly understand the years of hard work, discipline and sacrifice required to compete at this level.
“To see Australia achieve second in the world (with eight gold, six silver and six bronze in the pool) punching well above our population size – is amazing,” said Ms Rinehart.
“Our swimmers have come so far since the London Olympics (with one gold in the women’s 4x100m freestyle relay) to now standing as the second-best swimming nation in the world! – behind only the USA.
“This success also reflects the years of sacrifice from parents, coaches and volunteers behind the scenes who help make these records possible.
“I’m delighted to once again provide financial bonuses to our medal winners in the sports where I’m Patron. It’s a way of saying thank you and showing appreciation for their dedication and achievements for our country, and for helping to build national pride.
“For swimmers like Mollie O’Callaghan and others who achieved multiple medals, they will receive bonuses for each, and every medal earned.”
O’Callaghan is set to pick up the biggest bonus of $48,750, after she starred for Australia, retaining her women’s 200m freestyle title, finishing second in the 100m and as a part of the gold-medal-winning 4×100 and 4x200m freestyle relays and silver medal winning women’s medley relay
Kaylee McKeown will also pocket a hefty sum of cash. The Olympic champion picked up where she left off in Paris, claiming two gold medals in the 100m and 200m backstroke events, and will pocket $43,750, after also being a part of the women’s team that took silver in the 4x100m medley relay, while open water star Moesha Johnson will net $40,000 for her 5 and 10km marathon double.
Olympic relay champion Lani Pallister will also bank $30,000, after she joined O’Callaghan to clinch gold in the 4x200m freestyle relay, while she also took silver in the women’s 800m freestyle and bronze in the 1500m freestyle – in the best meet of her life.
The two fastest swimmers in the world, Cameron McEvoy and Meg Harris, will also receive hefty bonuses, Harris $25,000 for her 50m freestyle and 4x100m freestyle relay golds and McEvoy $20,000 for his 50m freestyle victory.
