The Australian Olympic Committee (AOC) has announced an innovative and important partnership with Hancock Prospecting through to 2026.
The partnership encompasses multiple Winter and Summer Olympic Games as well as the Youth Olympics and Pacific Games.
The agreement will see Hancock Prospecting sponsor the Australian Olympic Team competing at the upcoming Beijing 2022 Winter Olympic Games, Paris 2024 Summer Olympics, and the Milan-Cortina Winter Olympics in February 2026.
In addition, Hancock Prospecting will support Australian Teams to Youth Olympic Games (Gangwon 2024 & Dakar 2026) and Pacific Games (Solomon Islands 2023), Hancock Prospecting will also become presenting partner of Australian Olympic Change-Maker an innovative program which promotes and develops leadership among young Australians and athlete ambassadors.
AOC President John Coates has greatly welcomed the partnership which will deliver significant benefits to the preparation of Australian Teams, assist athletes and develop young leaders.
“This is a major commitment to Australian sport. We welcome and thank Mrs Gina Rinehart and Hancock Prospecting for this investment. On the eve of farewelling our Team to the Beijing 2022 Winter Olympic Games, the timing is perfect.
“There is no coincidence that the strong support of Mrs Gina Rinehart for many of our athletes in Tokyo yielded excellent results. There were so many golden moments and success in the pool, our rowers had a wonderful Games, as did our beach volleyballers.
“While delighted that this partnership will assist with our Teams at future Games, I am also extremely grateful for the ongoing support for so many athletes at the grassroots. While that support is separate to this arrangement, it is a remarkable illustration of Mrs Gina Rinehart’s commitment to Australian sport at all levels. Along with our artistic swimmers, our swimmers, rowers and beach volleyballers will continue to benefit from this investment. She’s a great Australian who shares our Olympic values and philosophies.”
“The AOC is proudly independent of government. We neither receive nor seek federal funding for our day-to-day operations. We are grateful to have the support of Mrs Gina Rinehart, Hancock Prospecting and all our partners to ensure we retain that independence,” Mr Coates concluded.
Executive Chairman Mrs Gina Rinehart said, “Our company has been a long-term supporter of the summer Olympic sports of artistic swimming, rowing and volleyball for many years, and specifically over 30 years for swimming. We are so proud to help our great Olympians who are such inspirations, through their hard work, most do not really know how hard they work, dedication, focus and self-discipline, as they endeavour to represent our country to the best of their ability. The traits these role models show in my view, are important for us all, if we wish to succeed in life and business.
“We are delighted to take the next step in our long-term support of Australia’s best athletes and become an official Australian Olympic Committee partner, an organisation admirably independent of Government funding and aligned to our values at the Hancock Group.
“At Hancock we believe it is important that if there is government funding to other sporting bodies, that it be strictly applied to support the Olympians and future Olympians, their coaches and training requirements and participation in sport. We believe government or sponsor funds should be used to ensure sport is at the service of the community and the athletes, and much tighter scrutiny of taxpayers and sponsors funds would assist. As we announce this partnership, we are delighted to confirm that we have committed our long term direct athlete support funding to the top tier athletes from rowing, swimming, artistic swimming and volleyball until Paris 2024, with a strong intent to continue this all the way until and including Brisbane 2032.”
“As Australia looks to hosting an Olympic Games in ten years, it will be important for our country to be open to investment and reduce the regulatory burden that impacts development needed to help make Queensland shine and the Games a success,” Mrs Rinehart concluded.
AOC Chief Executive Officer Matt Carroll expressed thanks for the support of Australian Olympic Change-Maker.
“This is a core athlete ambassador and community program for us which continues to grow and succeed year on year. It recognises Year 11 and 12 school students across Australia who are making a difference in their communities. Using sport to make positive change and be the difference.
“More than 900 students applied last year to be part of our Australian Olympic Change-Maker forums, from whom 23 were selected to participate in our national summit. Hancock Prospecting’s commitment will help us further grow the program and develop these inspirational young leaders. It’s something we are very proud of, Olympism in action.”
“Sending Teams to an Olympic Games is a complex and expensive task. More than 100 athletes and support staff are heading to Beijing. We can expect to send more than one thousand athletes and support staff to Paris in 2024. The AOC looks to provide every possible assistance to our athletes to ensure they can have their Olympic moment with the optimum preparation,” Mr Carroll concluded.
AOC Properties:
• Australian Olympic Team (Beijing 2022)
• Pacific Games Team (Solomon Islands 2023)
• Australian Youth Olympic Team (Gangwon 2024 – Winter)
• Australian Olympic Team (Paris 2024)
• Australian Olympic Team (Milan-Cortina 2026)
• Australian Youth Olympic Team (Dakar 2026 – Summer)
• Olympic Change Maker Program
Hancock Prospecting Brands:
• Hancock Prospecting
• Roy Hill
• Atlas Iron
• S Kidman and Co
• 2GR
