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2023 | Italy

Australia’s richest woman Gina Rinehart has donated more than $60 million to Australian Olympians over the past decade, new figures reveal. The mining magnate and current Western Australian of the Year, whose net worth is estimated to be close to $40 billion, began supporting Australian athletes after the swim team won just one gold medal at the 2012 London Olympics. Through her company Hancock Prospecting, she has since poured money into Australian swimming, rowing and volleyball. The Herald Sun reports that it’s the biggest single contribution to Olympic sport by an individual anywhere in the world.

Rinehart’s contributions make her the largest individual benefactor of the Australian athletes and she deals with them directly because of her passion for Aussie Olympians. ‘The great effort and sacrifices these young athletes make to compete at the world’s top level is truly inspiring,’ Rinehart wrote in her News Corp column in 2016. ‘The qualities and characteristics that these athletes possess — the determination, tenacity, perseverance and drive — make them outstanding role models for Australians. ‘It is these qualities which make it clear why they are great ambassadors for our country and indeed could become future leaders of Australia.

“My fourth World Championships was extra special,” Chalmers wrote, after his performance in the mixed 4x100m freestyle clocked a record time. “I got to share my special moments with my Mum and Mrs Rinehart. The first time my Mum has seen me race live at a World Championships …! These are memories that I will cherish for a lifetime.” Fellow Aussie swimmer Shayna Jack called Rinehart a “generous and supportive person”.

“A huge and warm congratulations to all our Aussie swimmers for their fantastic efforts in Fukuoka, representing Australia proudly and shining on the world stage,” she said after the event, where the Aussies won more gold medals than any other country. “I’m told this is Australia’s best ever international swimming performance. It’s very exciting to be here with these young role models and patriotic ambassadors.” Australian swimmer Shayna Jack called Rinehart a “generous and supportive person” and thanked her for her support. “More athletes would retire well and truly before their 30’s if it wasn’t for Ms Rinehart’s generosity. Not only does she support us financially but she shows up,” Jack said.

Mining magnate Gina Rinehart’s jaw-dropping level of support for Australian Olympic sports can finally be revealed as the Dolphins swim team revels in their new status as world No.1. While Olympic sports recently lobbied the federal government for a fresh injection of funding to prepare athletes for the Paris Olympics – receiving an extra $20m commitment – what has never been known until now is exactly how much Ms Rinehart is propping up the Australian team and several key sports such as swimming, rowing, artistic swimming and volleyballShe flew to Japan to see Australia’s historic swimming performance at the world titles in Fukuoka last month, thrilled her investment in this golden generation of athletes was proving successful.
“A huge and warm congratulations to all our Aussie swimmers for their fantastic efforts in Fukuoka,” Ms Rinehart said. “I’m told this is Australia’s best ever international swimming performance. It’s very exciting to be here with these young role models and patriotic ambassadors.”