As the 2026 Australian Open Championships concluded on the Gold Coast, Patron Mrs Gina Rinehart AO, and Hancock Prospecting are proud to stand with Australian swimming and the athletes, coaches, families, and volunteers who make the sport so strong. Held from 6–8 April at the Gold Coast Aquatic Centre, the championships once again showcased the depth of dedication and commitment within Australian swimming.
For more than three decades, Mrs Gina Rinehart and Hancock Prospecting have supported swimming in Australia, from grassroots pathways and domestic competitions through to direct assistance for members of the Australian Swimming Team. That long-term backing has helped create opportunities across Australian swimming, including support for pool meets, athlete development, direct funding, scholarships, travel needs, medal prizes, and scholarships.
Mrs Rinehart, longstanding patron of Australia’s Olympic swimmers, has played an important role in helping athletes pursue excellence on the national and international stage. It was wonderful to have Mrs Rinehart in attendance at the Open Championships, continuing her encouragement of swimmers, coaches, and families across Australian swimming. Her party included Gold Coast Mayor Tom Tate, and his lovely wife, and the Deputy Premier, the Hon. Jarrod Bleijie.
Several of Australia’s top swimmers have delivered standout performances through the championships, led by Mollie O’Callaghan, who impressed in the women’s freestyle events, and Lani Pallister who showcased her strength in middle- and long-distance freestyle, plus Kaylee McKeown for backstroke. While Olympic champion Kyle Chalmers and Cam McEvoy produced strong showings in the sprint events. In the men’s distance freestyle, Samuel Short delivered an excellent performance, underlining his status as one of Australia’s leading talents. Together, these results reflect both the calibre of Australia’s established champions and the continued depth emerging across the national program.
Hancock Prospecting congratulates all swimmers and para swimmers who competed on the Gold Coast, along with the coaches, families and volunteers, whose essential dedication continues to strengthen Australian swimming.
