‘Absolutely baffling’: Aust swimmers banned from thanking Gina Rinehart at Commonwealth Games

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.”