Originally published by Peter Jenkins of The Daily Telegraph
24.07.2026
Australian swimmers at the Commonwealth Games should have the right to thank Gina Rinehart for the medal jackpots the mining magnate has on offer in Scotland, according to former track and field golden girl Jane Flemming.
The four-time Commonwealth medallist was reacting on Friday to an edict banning swim squad members from mentioning their private billionaire benefactor on social media or in interviews until after the Glasgow Games.
Ms Flemming told The Daily Telegraph the difference a lucrative podium payoff could make to some of the country’s top athletes should not be underestimated.
While acknowledging the need to protect major sponsors of the broader Australian team, she said Ms Rinehart’s personal philanthropy could still be acknowledged.
Swimmers will receive $20,000 from Australia’s richest person for each individual gold medal won, $15,000 for silver and $10,000 for bronze. A world record will deliver a further $30,000. Rewards are also available to relay teams.
“Forever and a day, Olympic and Commonwealth Games athletes have hardly earnt a cent,” Ms Flemming said.
“They end their careers usually in debt, with no assets, and a lot of the time with no education. If somebody philanthropically wants to support them, I don’t see how it’s any different to having a parent support them through their career.
“Is anyone else putting their hands up to fund the athletes other than Gina Rinehart? So, I can understand if they did thank her.
“I also understand the Commonwealth Games philosophy around trying to protect their brand and sponsors. They support our teams, and we are very, very grateful for that. But that money nine times out of 10 does not go into the pockets of the athletes.”
Commonwealth Games Australia awarded a $5000 grant to all 255 members of the team in Glasgow following their selection.
But Ms Flemming argues that competing on the world stage for many athletes can be akin to actors in a Broadway hit show appearing for love not money.
“The lighting expert gets paid, the producer gets paid, the scriptwriter gets paid and the person in the ticket box gets paid,” she said. “But the actors don’t get paid. The actors in this case are the athletes. It’s extraordinary really.”
A high-profile sporting figure, who spoke on condition of anonymity, also told this masthead: “It just seems petty. In all honesty, they have created an issue here when it could have just flown under the radar.
“Would anyone have really noticed or cared if the swimmers did thank Gina Rinehart. Now they will.”
