EXCLUSIVE
Mining magnate Gina Rinehart is splashing the cash on a no-expenses-spared party at the Paris Games for what she claims will be the best Australian swimming team ever, insisting they deserve nothing but the best the French capital has to offer.
The billionaire boss has hired a luxury glass-topped riverboat, a world-class chef and live entertainment for a glittering star-studded evening to honour Australia’s medal-winning swimmers and rowers next Monday.
And it’s not just French food on the menu, Ms Rinehart revealed she will even have her prized wagyu beef flown in from Australia especially for the festivities.
“These hard-working young Australians are ones our nation can be proud of,” Ms Rinehart told Daily Mail Australia.
‘They are fantastic role models and ambassadors for our country. They help lift our spirits and make Australians proud of our country as a whole – all positive attributes in my opinion.
‘Perhaps among these outstanding young people we also see the future leaders that our country needs.
‘I look forward to making our after-party a night that the athletes love!
Gina Rinehart is planning a no-expenses-spared after-party for Australia’s successful swimmers and rowers in Paris.
The star-studded spectacle will take place on the luxury riverboat Ducasse Sur Seine on the final day of competition.
‘Of course, our 2GR Wagyu (Rinehart brand) will float with us, and the Seine will look beautiful at night and the live entertainment will be young and fantastic.
“This is just a very, very small recognition of the years of incredible effort our Olympic athletes have put in.”
Ms Rinehart is expected to attend the rowing finals at the Stade Nautique in Vaires-sur-Marne on Monday during the day before attending the swimming finals that evening.
She will join Australian Olympic legend Dawn Fraser for the final at the Paris La Defense Arena, before setting sail for her Olympic triumph.
The dazzling party, which will take place on the luxury riverboat Ducasse Sur Seine, will last two and a half hours cruising along the river, taking in iconic city landmarks such as the Eiffel Tower, Notre Dame and the Louvre.
The sumptuous dishes on board will be created by internationally renowned French chef Alain Ducasse, who has been awarded more than 20 Michelin stars.
Ms Rinehart said she was overwhelmed by the atmosphere of the Games so far and just hoped she still had her voice for the party after spending the next week cheering on Australia’s sporting stars.
“I’m known for losing my voice pretty quickly!” she joked.
While he looked forward to celebrating all of Australia’s success at the games, those he had helped achieve their dreams were particularly close to his heart.
“Of course, my favorite events are those involving the sports I sponsor, given my special relationship with those outstanding young people and many of their families as well,” he said.
‘Beach volleyball players are delighted with their position close to the Eiffel Tower, swimmers are thrilled with the pool they will be competing in and say it is one of the best pool facilities they have ever experienced.
“I think Australia is fielding its best swimming team at an Olympic Games ever, so it should be pretty exciting.”
Ms Rinehart, who spends about $10 million a year supporting Australian athletes in swimming, rowing, volleyball and artistic swimming, has become a key part of the country’s Olympic organisation and a popular figure among the country’s athletes.
She said she was in awe of the dedication, discipline and commitment of the Australian athletes and wanted to impress upon them that simply making it to the Paris Games was an extraordinary achievement.
“Perhaps inspiration can be found by illustrating mathematically, as the percentage of Australians who manage to become Olympic athletes is very small,” he said.
Gina Rinehart is expected to take part in the rowing and swimming finals with Olympic legend Dawn Fraser before the after-party.
The mining magnate will receive his prized Wagyu beef from Australia especially for the party.
‘The most inspiring are the athletes who, like our wonderful Dawn Fraser, have attended multiple Olympic Games and won Olympic gold medals.
‘But even those attending the Olympics for the first time are rare and exceptional, as only about 0.00013% of the population manage to become Olympians.
‘Of course, those zeros increase a lot if there is more than one Olympiad, and they increase again if there is more than one medal!’
‘I hope my words to first-time Olympians have been helpful, given that they will experience a lot of noise, media and other distractions.
“I love seeing young Australians strive for excellence and work extremely hard to represent our country in the best way possible. I am proud of them.”