Australian swimming star Kyle Chalmers has led a chorus of praise for Gina Rinehart after the mining magnate awarded more than $1 million in bonus money to Commonwealth Games medallists in the pool.

Chalmers was among the Aussie swimming aces who cleaned up in Glasgow, with the team racking up 37 golds among a total of 76 medals.

It saw Mrs Rinehart hand out a whopping $1,272,500 in prize money after providing incentives for every medal winner.

Amid instructions from Commonwealth Games Australia not to thank Rinehart specifically for the bonus money, Chalmers - who capped a successful meet with a dead-heat gold medal in the 50m butterfly - took to social media to issue praise.

“Some people change lives without ever stepping onto the podium or competing!” Chalmers wrote in an Instagram post.

“Mrs Rinehart is one of the true Australian greats. Not just because of what she’s been able to achieve, but because she continues to give back to Australia and Australian sport in such a meaningful way.

“At this year’s Commonwealth Games, she awarded $1,272,500 in medal incentive bonuses to Australian swimmers. That kind of support isn’t just generous, it sends a message that all of our hard work, sacrifice and the commitment required to compete at the highest level is VALUED.

“For me personally, it means I can keep chasing something I’ve dedicated my life to. As a husband, a father, and someone balancing the realities of life outside the pool, support like this makes an enormous difference. It gives me the opportunity to keep turning up every single day and seeing just how much I can continue to achieve.

“Mrs Rinehart, thank you for believing in Australian athletes and for investing in our dreams. Your impact reaches far beyond our medals. I’ll never take that support for granted.”

He was supported by fellow Glasgow gold medallist Sam Short in the comments on his post, who wrote: “She is the reason the team is in its best spot ever”.

Elijah Winnington - who won silver in the men’s 400m freestyle - also took to social media to describe Mrs Rinehart and Hancock Prospecting as “our sport’s biggest supporter”.

“Her ongoing support is truly appreciated and I personally am extremely grateful. She has singlehandedly changed the lives of countless Australian swimmers over so many years.

“Thank you Mrs Rinehart.”