$1m pay boost for Aussie Dolphins

Australia’s champion swimmers have been given another massive boost ahead of next year’s Paris Olympics and Paralympics – a $1m cash bonus from their biggest supporter as a reward for dominating the world in 2023.

It has been a long time coming but finally Australia’s elite swimmers are starting to get paid properly for their head spinning performances in the pool, thanks to the country’s richest woman and a recent change of heart from the sport’s world governing body.

It’s no secret that most of the best swimmers compete for love more than money because their salaries are pitiful compared to the mega bucks other professional athletes pocket but things are changing.

Kaylee McKeown, the world’s premier female swimmer, earned a staggering $440,000 in prize money and bonuses from this year’s world championships and World Cups.

Teenage superstar Mollie O’Callaghan collected over a quarter of a million bucks for her stunning performances in the build-up to Paris, as the Dolphins – including pool, open water and para swimmers – won a record $2.4m over the season – $1.4m from World Aquatics and a further $1m from mining magnate Gina Hancock’s Patron’s Medal Achievement Incentive Fund.

Hancock already funds around 150 athletes but agreed to tip in even more cash to reward all the Aussies who cleaned up at the biggest global events. The bonus scheme will continue in Paris next year.

Swimming’s old ruling body — FINA – underwent major reform in 2021 – including a change of leadership and a name change to World Aquatics. One of the first big changes they made was increasing prize money for swimmers and the high-flying Australians are among the biggest recipients cashing in.