Article by Liam O’Loughlin, courtesy of Wide World of Sports
06.08.2025
Australia’s richest woman Gina Rinehart has revealed how much she will be paying the swimmers who shone brightest at last week’s World Championships.
Rinehart acts as a patron for several Olympic sports, including swimming, and has offered financial rewards to those who find success on the podium.
Swimmers who won gold medals in individual events in Singapore would take home $20,000 and relay events were worth $5000 per athlete.
Mollie O’Callaghan will rake in the most money after Singapore, with her estimated total payout sitting at $48,750 after clinching gold in the women’s 200m freestyle and 4x100m freestyle relay, as well as silvers in 100m freestyle and 4x100m medley relay.
Kaylee McKeown wasn’t far behind with $43,750 after winning gold in both the 100m and 200m women’s backstroke events to go with a silver in the medley relay.
Lani Pallister – goddaughter of Australian legend Dawn Fraser – will earn an estimated $30,000 for her efforts in Singapore that included gold in the 4x200m women’s freestly relay, as well silver in women’s 800m freestyle and bronze in the 1500m freestyle.
Payments will be made directly into athletes’ accounts within two weeks, according to a media release from Hancock Prospecting.
“Warmest congratulations to all our swimmers, synchronised swimmers and other athletes who competed in Singapore. A spectacular effort,” Rinehart said.
“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 – 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.
“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 and others who achieved multiple medals, they will receive bonuses for each and every medal earned.”
