Commonwealth Games: Cash confirmed for Australian gold, silver and bronze in the Glasgow pool
Sending very best wishes to all swimmers and competitors in the Commonwealth Games.
Australia’s top performers in the pool in Glasgow will bring home not just shiny medals and glory but thousands of dollars, with Australia’s richest businesswoman putting up cash rewards for any swimming gold, silver and bronze medals.
The Commonwealth Games cash is an extension of Gina Rinehart’s long-standing support for Australia’s swimmers, and extra motivation for the 60-strong swim squad who hit the water from Friday.
Every gold medal winner in an individual event will collect $20,000 each – plus an extra $10,000 should they break a world record.
A silver medal will earn $15,000 and bronze $10,000, while those who experience relay success – always a strength for the Australian Dolphins swim team – will also share in the spoils with up to $5000 for each swimmer.
The Dolphins – led by world record-holder Cam McEvoy, retiring star Shayna Jack and Olympic champion Kyle Chalmers – are expected to do much of the heavy lifting in Australia’s gold pursuit in Scotland.
Four years ago in Birmingham, England, they tallied 25 gold medals – almost as many as their record breaking haul of 28 set on the Gold Coast in 2018.
“There is something very uplifting about seeing an Australian athlete stand on the podium while our flag is raised. Such exciting times make Australians proud and deserve to be celebrated,” Ms Rinehart said on the eve of the Glagsow Games.
“The Commonwealth Games are an important stepping stone for our future Olympic champions, with 79 per cent of Australian Olympic medallists having competed at the Commonwealth Games before reaching an Olympic podium.
“Supporting our athletes in Glasgow is also an investment in Australia’s future Olympic success.”
Australia is by far the most successful nation in Commonwealth Games swimming history, having won 330 gold medals since the inaugural Games in 1930.
The Dolphins’ women freestylers led the way at the last Games, claiming victory in all but one of the 15 races.
“Our athletes are outstanding ambassadors for Australia. They are proud to compete for our country, and inspire millions of Australians, especially young people,” Ms Rinehart said.
Ms Rinehart and Hancock Prospecting are long-supporting partners of Australian swimming.
She is the patron of the our national swim team, as well as Swimming WA, Swimming QLD, Rowing Australia and Artistic Swimming Australia.
“Private enterprise has an important role to play in backing Australians who work hard, strive for excellence and make our nation proud, and I call on more business leaders to step up and do the same,” she said.
