Australia’s remarkable success at Paris 2024 is epitomised by Cameron McEvoy’s first Olympic gold in the 50m freestyle. As an astrophysicist and mathematician, McEvoy’s unconventional, data-driven approach to training paid off, inspiring insights for contract managers. By leveraging data to identify risks, set realistic benchmarks, and create effective payment regimes, contract managers can achieve gold-standard outcomes in project management. Just as McEvoy refined his technique for Olympic success, using data from past projects can pave the way for more robust, future-focused contracts.