Australian swimming stars Kyle Chalmers and Elijah Winnington publicly expressed their gratitude to billionaire Gina Rinehart following the Commonwealth Games, defying warnings from Commonwealth Games Australia officials who had advised athletes against praising the mining magnate during official media appearances. Rinehart provided Australian swimmers with $1,272,500 in bonuses for winning medals and breaking Games records.
Despite being cautioned by Commonwealth Games Australia, Chalmers and Winnington posted tributes to Rinehart after the competition concluded. Chalmers described Rinehart as one of Australia's "true greats" for her continued contributions to Australian sport. He noted that her financial support, which included $1.27 million in medal incentive bonuses at the Games, validates the athletes' hard work and sacrifice.
"For me personally, it means I can keep chasing something I've dedicated my life to," Chalmers stated. "As a husband, a father, and someone balancing the realities of life outside the pool, support like this makes an enormous difference. It gives me the opportunity to keep turning up every single day and seeing just how much I can continue to achieve. Mrs Rinehart, thank you for believing in Australian athletes and for investing in our dreams. Your impact reaches far beyond our medals. I'll never take that support for granted."
Swimmer Elijah Winnington echoed these sentiments, calling Rinehart and her company, Hancock Prospecting, the biggest supporters of their sport. He added that her ongoing support is deeply appreciated and has "singlehandedly changed the lives of countless Australian swimmers over so many years."
Sam Short, another teammate, commented on Chalmers' post, attributing the team's success to Rinehart's influence. "She is the reason the team is in its best spot ever," Short wrote.
The Australian Dolphins achieved a record-breaking performance at the Glasgow Games, securing 76 medals, including 37 gold. This surpassed their previous record of 73 medals. The 37 gold medals also exceeded the previous Commonwealth Games swimming record of 28.
Rinehart's bonus structure awarded $20,000 for individual gold medals, $15,000 for silver, and $10,000 for bronze. Relay gold medalists received $5,000 each. Individual world records would have earned $30,000, and relay team members $7,500 each, though no world records were broken.
Lani Pallister received the highest payout, earning $80,000 for three individual gold medals. Sam Short received $65,000, and Meg Harris collected $60,000. Chalmers and Ben Armbruster each received a gold medal payment after tying for first place in the 50m butterfly final.
Rinehart stated that the rewards recognized the dedication and sacrifice required for international competition. "It's a way of saying thank you and showing appreciation for their dedication and achievements, the pride they make Australians feel right across our country, and for being the inspiring young ambassadors that they truly are," she said.
Rinehart's financial backing of sports has previously been a subject of controversy. In 2022, Hancock Prospecting withdrew a proposed $15 million sponsorship of Netball Australia after Indigenous player Donnell Wallam expressed reservations about wearing the company's logo due to past comments by Rinehart's father. At the time, Hancock Prospecting stated that sports organizations should not be used for social or political causes.
The recent public displays of gratitude for Rinehart's bonuses have also raised questions regarding athletes' comfort in criticizing her or her business interests, given the financial incentives.