Gina Rinehart reveals the one thing Australia did wrong before the Olympics

Gina Rinehart is celebrating Australia’s most successful Olympic Games yet, but she still believes the country can do things better.

Mrs Rinehart, who spends about $10 million a year on Australian athletes, was always in the stands to cheer on Australian Olympians and invite them and their families to a grand closing party, where no expense was spared.

The mining magnate told Daily Mail Australia on Monday that she was delighted to be the “honorary godmother” to the athletes she supports, but that she believed a “culture change” needed to happen before Australia hosts the 2032 Olympics.

“I think we should learn from Europe, where countries have decided to reduce spending by sports organisations and spend that money better on athletes and coaches,” said Ms Rinehart.

She said Britain was an example of “putting athletes and coaches first and in doing so taking money away from the sports bureaucracy in favour of the athletes and coaches”.

“Perhaps as a start, all non-athletes and coaches should be asked to disclose all their benefits, such as travel, hotels and restaurants, just as politicians do,” Ms Rinehart suggested.

Mrs Rinehart also revealed some of the events that took place at the lavish party she held on Monday after the Games in a luxury glass-topped riverboat on the Seine in Paris.

“It was great to cruise down the Seine with our Australian medal winners from swimming, rowing, horse riding, cycling and more,” she said.

Mining magnate Gina Rinehart with Italian opera singer Matteo Bocelli at the party she hosted for the Australian Olympians

‘(They are) really fantastic young Aussies. Most of them missed the Seine cruise for the Olympic opening ceremony. 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 an encore on the roof of the boat, as (Australian swimmer and silver and bronze medallist in Paris) Elijah Winnington joined Matteo for another enthusiastic round of “We Are the Champions” as the lights of the Eiffel Tower twinkled in the background.’

Daily Mail Australia previously reported that Ms Rinehart had the wagyu beef flown from her farms in Australia to Paris, where it was prepared on the boat by a world-class chef.

Mrs Rinehart also paid tribute to the underrated family support many young Olympians receive.

“The parents of our Olympians are underestimated for the time, money and support they give their children to become excellent athletes, in good times and bad,” she said.

Mrs Rinehart (pictured third from left in the centre) celebrates Australia’s success in the pool, alongside Olympic legend Dawn Fraser (pictured centre right from left)

‘Then there are the early morning training sessions and after-school training sessions, the cost of fuel and travel to competitions, and a high grocery bill at home.

‘Then there are their sacrifices, extensive mortgages, fundraising sausages and barbecues.

“Thank you, Olympic Parents, for all that you do. I have enjoyed seeing many of you at the Olympics.”

Mrs Rinehart said that it ‘It’s great to hear comments from across Australia about how proud we are of our young Olympians and how much Australians enjoyed watching them shine at the Olympic Games.

“Our warmest congratulations to all our wonderful Olympians,” she said.

‘Our Olympians are dedicated and hardworking, putting in countless hours that are never seen before.

They strive for excellence and to make our country proud, all great qualities! Such fantastic role models. No one can take away our Olympians’ achievements after years of work and dedication.’

Australian gold medallists Mollie O’Callaghan and Shayna Jack wave to Ms Rinehart in the stands

Ms Rinehart, whose fortune is estimated at more than $35 billion, is a patron of Rowing Australia and also supports swimming, synchronised swimming and beach volleyball through her mining company Hancock Prospecting and her foundation.

Since 2012, her investment in the Australian Olympic team is estimated at $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 took over (after many sponsors had abandoned ship following the poor swimming campaign in London 2012).’

She made money available that went directly to the athletes.

‘This allowed many athletes – myself included – to see that there was a future career in swimming for us.

“I don’t know where many swimming careers would have gone if there hadn’t been a financial injection.”

Last year, Mr. Rinehart announced a $3 million fund for athletes who won medals in certain sports in Paris. A gold medal will be awarded $20,000 and a world record will be awarded an additional $30,000.

Mr Rinehart (centre) poses with the Australian Olympic swimming team she helps support

The same prizes are also awarded to the Paralympic athletes from Australia.

Rowers Jess Morrison and Annabelle McIntyre, who won Australia’s only medal at the Paris regatta with bronze in the women’s pairs, said they considered Ms Rinehart part of their team

“It’s really important that we have so much support and that we can almost do this sport as a professional profession,” McIntyre told the Nine network.

“It’s always so sweet that she makes the effort to be there for us on these special days, she really was part of the experience,” Morrison said.

‘She doesn’t just watch from a distance, she really empathizes with us.’

Winnington’s father Jeff, who is director of Swimming Queensland, also spoke highly of Rinehart after his son won silver and bronze.

“Without Mrs Rinehart’s contribution, Australia would never have done so well in the medal tally,” he told The Australian.

“She gives them the opportunity to follow their passion and represent the green and gold without having to work for it, because swimming is a full-time job.”

“It takes away a lot of the financial burden. I know some athletes were in tears because they thought they were going to have to give up their sport in the dark times when there was no money coming in.

Mrs Rinehart (centre right) poses with members of the Australian rowing team for the Paris Olympics

“They thought, ‘I’ll never be an Olympian,’ and to see that spark in their eyes again. It changes lives. It’s such a beautiful relationship she has with the sport.”

Ms Rinehart said she looked forward to Australia hosting the Games in eight years’ time.

“We have an opportunity to make Queensland shine for the 2032 Olympic Games. I hope the money spent is invested wisely and provides useful infrastructure for decades to come,” she said.

Australia enjoyed its most successful Olympic Games in Paris, where it won 18 gold medals, breaking the previous top 17, seven of which were won in the pool, for a total of 18 places.