Article courtesy of 7 News.
The swimmers who missed the Opening Ceremony cruise have enjoyed one at sunset thanks to the mining magnate.
Athletes in golden boots danced down a yellow carpet on the River Seine to celebrate their success at the Paris Olympics.
Australia’s swimmers missed the Opening Ceremony cruise but on Monday they enjoyed one at sunset thanks to billionaire sports sponsor Gina Rinehart.
About 90 athletes – including stars Ariarne Titmus and Kyle Chalmers – were personally greeted by Rinehart who was praised for going all out for the Olympians, but replied: “They’re the ones that go out every day. I couldn’t be more proud.”
Cancan dancers welcomed the stars from swimming, rowing and equestrian along with coaches, sports officials and executives from Roy Hill and Hancock Prospecting.
The athletes included gold, silver and bronze medallists who swapped swimmers for cocktail dresses or Kidman clothing – finally letting their hair down after one of Australia’s most successful pool meets with seven gold, eight silver and three bronze.
Kai, the son of legendary swimmer Hayley Lewis, was among the first on board, showing off the golden Rossi boots after making his Olympic Debut.
He was alongside medallists Elijah Winnington, and 20-year-old Mollie O’Callaghan who was looking forward to “finally having some fun and being normal people for once” after a gruelling schedule.
Dean Boxall, coach of Ariane Titmus, was on board to watch the athletes finally let their hair down after three years of intense training and strict diets in the lead-up to the Games.
“I’m gonna sit back and just let them be. I’ll probably sit in the corner with my wife and just have a good time to let them all,” he said.
The athletes were full of praise for the billionaire too. Not because it was polite, but because they believe they wouldn’t be as successful without her financial and emotional support.
The mining magnate supports athletes into the millions to allow them to focus on training and achieving success.
“I don’t think that any of us will be able to do what we do without her support,” said relay 4x200m relay gold medallist Lani Pallister, who won in the pool after beating COVID-19 while in the Athletes village.
“We’re so incredibly grateful for everything that she does for us and she continually goes above and beyond.”
Australia’s ambassador to France Gillian Bird was also on board, along with the President of Rowing Australia and Chairman of Wesfarmers Rob Scott and Swimming Australia CEO Rob Woodhouse.
Woodhouse’s presence sends a sign that tensions between Rinehart and Swimming Australia over a lack of a voice despite support for the athletes in 2021 appear over.
Standing on the deck of the vessel while athletes held glasses, Rinehart addressed the Olympians: “I couldn’t be more proud. How could any of us want to be more proud of our Olympians than we are right now?”
“So just have a great night. It’s wonderful to be with you.”
