Article by David Sygall courtesy of the Paralympics Australia.
Australia’s medal-winning Para-swimmers and Para-rowers will receive financial rewards equal to their able-bodied peers through a groundbreaking initiative provided by Mrs Gina Rinehart AO.
The Patron’s Medal Achievement Incentive Fund, powered by Mrs Rinehart’s business Hancock Prospecting, commits generous rewards to swimmers and rowers who achieve podium-level success at the sports’ respective World Championships and the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games.
Athletes will receive $20,000 for winning a gold medal, $15,000 for winning a silver medal and $10,000 for winning a bronze medal. A $30,000 bonus is on offer for breaking a world record. For swimming relays, the rewards are split four ways, while for rowing each athlete who is part of a medal-winning crew will receive full payment.
The $3 million fund also applies to volleyball and artistic swimming. Australia previously competed in sitting volleyball at the Sydney 2000 Paralympics.
The announcement was made on Sunday by Swimming Queensland, the Australian Swimmers’ Association, Rowing Australia, Volleyball Australia, together with Artistic Swimming Australia.
The Achievement Fund is of particular significance to the Australian Paralympic Movement, which strongly advocates for equality of opportunity in sport for the millions of Australians who live with a disability and fairness in the way Para-athletes are supported and rewarded at the elite level.
“On behalf of Paralympics Australia, I would like to thank Mrs Rinehart for her thoughtfulness and generosity in providing these financial incentives to athletes in two of our leading sports,” Paralympics Australia President Jock O’Callaghan said.
“Paralympians and Para-sport world champions are those who persevere, make sacrifices and commit themselves to pursue excellence. They should be afforded the same recognition as any able-bodied athlete who competes at the highest level.
“In most cases, people with a disability face substantial financial burden to be able to participate in sport, including for specialised equipment and additional transportation costs. These expenses carry right through to the highest levels.
“Therefore, the significance of Mrs Rinehart’s pledge to equally incentivise and reward all medal-winning athletes in swimming and rowing – regardless of whether they are able-bodied or have an impairment – cannot be overstated.
“Mrs Rinehart is setting an exceptionally high standard for philanthropy that may inspire others to step up and support our remarkable Para-athletes as they strive to represent Australia to the best of their abilities on the world stage.”
The performance payments will be made retrospectively to include the World Para Swimming Championships in Manchester and World Swimming Championships in Fukuoka.
The winner of two of Australia’s 12 gold medals in Manchester, Rowan Crothers, said he was grateful for the generous support and endorsement that Mrs Rinehart is providing to the Australian Para-swimming Team.
“Equal medal incentives for Paralympic and non-disabled athletes is an incredible step forward for inclusion in Australian sport,” Crothers said.
“It will give us a strong head-start in preparation for the Paris 2024 Paralympic and Olympic Games.”
