Article by Todd Balym courtesy of the Daily Telegraph.
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 volleyball.
Figures obtained by Code Sports show that Ms Rinehart’s commitment to Olympic sports has been valued at more than $60m since she first committed to helping the Dolphins after their disastrous 2012 London Olympic campaign where they won just a single gold medal. It is believed to be the single biggest contribution to Olympic sport by any individual anywhere in the world.
Crucially for the athletes, Ms Rinehart’s company Hancock Prospecting makes the majority of her commitment through direct athlete support, ensuring that it is the actual competitors and not bloated head offices or employees who reap the benefits of her donations.
Currently there are 75 elite swimmers and 50 elite rowers who are individually funded by Ms Rinehart annually.
She 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.”
Aussie swim star Shayna Jack said the success and longevity of careers in the swim team was directly related to Ms Rinehart’s support.
“Ms Rinehart is the most generous and supportive person towards the Australian swimmers. She supports us financially which allows us to make a career out of our swimming and get the most out of that career,” Jack said.
“More athletes would retire well and truly before their 30s if it wasn’t for Ms Rinehart’s generosity. Not only does she support us financially but she shows up.
“She’s there – Aussie flag in hand, smile on her face – when we stood tall singing the national anthem to the rest of the world. That is pretty special for myself and our team.”
It’s not just swimmers rising to the top. Rower Tara Rigney will head to Serbia’s world titles next month as a single sculls medal contender on the back of direct support from Ms Rinehart that had enabled her to be a full-time athlete.
“She’s an amazing support for rowing, especially the women’s rowing trying to achieve gender parity across the field,” Rigney said. “Ms Rinehart really helps us be able to achieve those dreams and make this possible.”
