Gina Rinehart is celebrating Australia’s most successful Olympics yet, but still believes there are things the country could do better.
Ms Rinehart, who spends about $10 million a year supporting Australian athletes, was a constant presence in the stands cheering on Australian Olympians and also welcomed them and their families to an no-expense-spared end-of-Games celebration.
The mining magnate told Daily Mail Australia on Monday she loved being the “honorary godmother” of the athletes she supports, but thought there should be a “culture change” before Australia hosts the 2032 Olympics.
“I think we should learn from Europe, where countries have decided to cut spending on sports bodies and make better use of that funding by directing it instead to athletes and coaches,” Rinehart said.
He said Britain was an example of “putting athletes and coaches first and directing money accordingly, from the sporting bureaucracy to athletes and coaches”.
“Perhaps, for a start, all non-athletes and non-coaches should be asked to publicly disclose all their benefits, such as travel, hotels and restaurants, as politicians do,” Rinehart suggested.
Ms Rinehart also revealed some of what happened at the lavish party she held on a luxury glass-topped boat on the Seine in Paris after the Games closed on Monday.
“It was fantastic to be with our Australian medallists in swimming, rowing, equestrian, cycling and more, on their cruise down the Seine,” he said.
Mining magnate Gina Rinehart with Italian opera singer Matteo Bocelli during the party she hosted for Australian Olympic athletes
“They are some really fantastic young Australians. Most of them had missed the Seine cruise to attend the opening ceremony of the Olympic Games. Hence my idea of the float for them.
‘The magician was amazing and everyone enjoyed the 2GR wagyu and the Italian opera singer Matteo Bocelli.
‘There was a repeat at the top of the boat, when (Australian swimmer and Paris silver and bronze medallist) Elijah Winnington joined Matteo for another rousing round of “We Are the Champions”, with the lights of the Eiffel Tower shining behind.’
Daily Mail Australia previously revealed that Ms Rinehart transported the wagyu beef from her farms in Australia to Paris to be prepared by a world-class chef on the ship.
Ms Rinehart also paid tribute to the under-appreciated support many young Olympians receive from their families.
“Parents of our Olympians don’t get enough recognition for the time, money and support, both in good times and otherwise, they give to their children to help them become outstanding athletes,” he said.
Ms Rinehart (pictured, third centre left) celebrates Australia’s success in the pool alongside Olympic legend Dawn Fraser (pictured, right, centre left)
‘There are the early morning workouts and the after-school workouts, the expense of fuel and travel to competitions and a big shopping bill at home.
‘There are their sacrifices, their extended mortgages, their fundraising sausage roasts and their barbecues.
“Thank you, Olympic parents, for all you do. I really enjoyed watching so many of you at the Olympic Games.”
Mrs. Rinehart said it was…It’s wonderful to hear feedback from across Australia about how proud our young Olympians made us and how much Australians loved watching them shine at the Olympic Games.
“Our warmest congratulations to all our outstanding Olympians,” he said.
‘Our Olympic athletes are dedicated and hard-working, putting in countless hours of effort that you never see.
“They strive for excellence and make our country proud. These are all fantastic qualities! They are fantastic role models. No one can take away from our Olympians their achievements after years of hard work and dedication.”
Australian gold medallist swimmers Mollie O’Callaghan and Shayna Jack greet Ms Rinehart in the stands.
Ms Rinehart, whose wealth is estimated at more than $35 billion, is a patron of Rowing Australia and through her mining company Hancock Prospecting and foundation also supports swimming, artistic swimming and beach volleyball.
Since 2012, his investment in the Australian Olympic team has been reported to be $80 million.
“I don’t say this lightly, but Gina Rinehart saved swimming,” four-time Olympian Cate Campbell told the Australian Financial Review in 2021.
‘Gina Rinehart stepped in (after many sponsors jumped ship following the poor London 2012 pool campaign).’
‘She made funds available that went directly to the athletes.
‘This allowed many athletes, including myself, to see that there was a future career in swimming for us.
“I’m not sure where a lot of swimming races would have gone if there hadn’t been this injection of funds.”
Last year, Mr. Rinehart announced a two-year, $3 million fund for athletes who medal in certain sports in Paris, with $20,000 awarded for a gold medal and an additional $30,000 for a world record.
Mr Rinehart (centre) poses with the Australian Olympic swimming team he helps support.
The same prizes will also be available to Australian Paralympic athletes.
Rowers Jess Morrison and Annabelle McIntyre, who claimed Australia’s only medal at the Paris regatta with bronze in the women’s pairs, said they considered Ms Rinehart part of their team.
“Being able to get support, being able to play this sport almost like it’s a professional job, is really important,” McIntyre told Nine.
“It’s always lovely that she makes the effort to be here for us on these special days, and she really was part of the experience,” Morrison said.
“She doesn’t watch us from afar, she is really involved with us.”
Winnington’s father Jeff, who is a director of Swimming Queensland, also praised Rinehart after his son’s silver and bronze.
“If it wasn’t for Ms Rinehart’s contribution, there’s no way Australia would have achieved such a strong medal result,” she told The Australian.
‘It gives them the opportunity to follow their passion and represent the green and gold without having to go to work because swimming is a full-time job.’
‘It eases a lot of the financial burden. I know some of the athletes were crying thinking they were going to have to give up their sport during the dark times when there wasn’t that flow of money.
Ms Rinehart (centre right) poses with members of the Australian rowing team for the Paris Olympics.
“They were thinking, ‘I’ll never be an Olympian,’ and to see that spark in her eyes again… It’s life-changing. It’s a very beautiful relationship she has with sport.”
Ms Rinehart said she hoped Australia would host the games within eight years.
“We have the opportunity to make Queensland shine for the 2032 Olympic Games. I hope the money spent will be spent wisely and provide infrastructure that will be beneficial for decades to come,” he said.
Australia enjoyed its most successful Olympics in Paris, where it won 18 gold medals, surpassing the country’s previous record of 17, seven of them in the pool.