The Australian Olympic Committee (AOC) has announced a new partnership with Hancock Prospecting through to the 2026 Milan-Cortina Winter Olympic Games.

The partnership will see Hancock Prospecting support all Australian Olympic Teams competing at the upcoming Beijing 2022 Winter Olympics, the Paris 2024 Olympics, the Milan-Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics, as well as the Youth Olympic Games in Gangwon in 2024 and Dakar in 2026, and the Pacific Games in Solomon Island in 2023.

Hancock Prospecting will also become the presenting partner for the Australian Olympic Change-Maker program, helping young Australians and athlete ambassadors become successful leaders.

AOC president, John Coates, said the partnership will help deliver significant benefits for all Australian Olympic Teams in preparing for major events.

“This is a major commitment to Australian sport,” Coates said.

“We welcome and thank Mrs Gina Rinehart and Hancock Prospecting for this investment.

“On the eve of farewelling our Team to the Beijing 2022 Winter Olympic Games, the timing is perfect.

“There is no coincidence that the strong support of Mrs Gina Rinehart for many of our athletes in Tokyo yielded excellent results.

“There were so many golden moments and success in the pool, our rowers had a wonderful Games, as did our beach volleyballers.

“While delighted that this partnership will assist with our Teams at future Games, I am also extremely grateful for the ongoing support for so many athletes at the grassroots.

“While that support is separate to this arrangement, it is a remarkable illustration of Mrs Gina Rinehart’s commitment to Australian sport at all levels.

“Along with our artistic swimmers, our swimmers, rowers and beach volleyballers will continue to benefit from this investment.

“She’s a great Australian who shares our Olympic values and philosophies.

“The AOC is proudly independent of government.

“We neither receive nor seek federal funding for our day-to-day operations.

“We are grateful to have the support of Mrs Gina Rinehart, Hancock Prospecting and all our partners to ensure we retain that independence,” he said.

Hancock Prospecting executive chairman, Gina Rinehart, said: “At Hancock we believe it is important that if there is government funding to other sporting bodies, that it be strictly applied to support the Olympians and future Olympians, their coaches and training requirements and participation in sport.”

“We believe government or sponsor funds should be used to ensure sport is at the service of the community and the athletes, and much tighter scrutiny of taxpayers and sponsors funds would assist.

“As we announce this partnership, we are delighted to confirm that we have committed our long-term direct athlete support funding to the top tier athletes from rowing, swimming, artistic swimming and volleyball until Paris 2024, with a strong intent to continue this all the way until and including Brisbane 2032.

“As Australia looks to hosting an Olympic Games in ten years, it will be important for our country to be open to investment and reduce the regulatory burden that impacts development needed to help make Queensland shine and the Games a success,” Rinehart said.