Australia’s richest woman awards $300k bonuses to world champ swimmers

Gina Rinehart, Australia's richest woman and patron of swimming, has pledged more than $300,000 in bonuses to reward Australian swimmers for their outstanding performance at the 2025 World Aquatics Championships in Singapore, where Australia ranked second globally. The bonuses include $20,000 for each individual gold medal, $5,000 per person for relay golds, $15,000 for silver medals, and $10,000 for bronze, with additional rewards for world records. Mollie O’Callaghan, with multiple medals including two golds and three silvers, is set to receive the highest payout of $48,750, followed by Kaylee McKeown with $43,750 and Lani Pallister with $30,000. Rinehart emphasized the hard work, discipline, and sacrifices required to compete at this level and expressed pride in Australia's achievement, noting the crucial support from parents, coaches, and volunteers. Her support of Australian swimming spans over 30 years through Hancock Prospecting, including funding, scholarships, and career transition assistance, making her the largest private backer of Australian Olympic sports. This financial recognition aims to honor the athletes' dedication and foster national pride.