‘Absolutely Baffling’: Aust Swimmers Banned From Thanking Gina Rinehart at Commonwealth Games | News24

Sky News host Rita Panahi says it’s “absolutely baffling” Australian swimmers at the Commonwealth Games are not allowed to thank Gina Rinehart.

​“The athletes are being told they cannot thank Ms Rinehart despite the fact that she pays a stipend, an allowance, to the swimmers that allows them to train, allows them to be world-class athletes, and to get to that podium position,” Ms Panahi said.

​“No one should be obliged to thank anybody, but if those swimmers want to thank someone who has helped them get there, whether it’s a parent, whether it’s Ms Rinehart, whether it’s a coach, to be told you’ll be in breach of your contract if you thank someone.

​“That is absolutely baffling.”