Article by Todd Balym, courtesy of The Australian
06.08.2025
Australian swimmers are set to pocket more than $300,000 in bonuses after their rich supporter Gina Rinehart declared the world championship medallists would each receive cash deposits within two weeks.
Mrs Rinehart, Australia’s richest person, revealed her generosity to the world No.2-ranked swim team as she outlined the ¬bonuses to reward top performers at the recent Wold Aquatics Championships in Singapore.
Mollie O’Callaghan, with her two gold and three silver medals, is set to pocket the highest bonus at $48,750, followed by backstroke champion Kaylee McKeown at $43,750 and Lani Pallister with $30,000.
Mrs Rinehart, who has supported swimmers for 30 years through Hancock Prospecting, including via direct funding, scholarships and career transitions, offered $20,000 per individual gold and $5000 per person for relay gold. Silver medals are worth $15,000 (or $3750 per person for relays) and bronze medals $10,000 ($2500pp in relays).
“Few people truly understand the years of hard work, discipline and sacrifice required to compete at this level,” Mrs Rinehart said.
“To see Australia achieve second in the world – punching well above our population size – is amazing. Our swimmers have come so far since the London Olympics, where no gold medals were won, 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 … 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 and others who achieved multiple medals, they will receive bonuses for each and every medal earned.”
