Grant Hackett
Grant Hackett
Grant Hackett OAMis an Australian swimmer, most famous for winning the men's 1500 metres freestyle race at both the 2000 Summer Olympics in Sydney and the 2004 Summer Olympics in Athens. This achievement has led him to be regarded as one of the greatest distance swimmers in history. He also collected a gold medal in Sydney for swimming in the heats of the 4 × 200 m freestyle relay. He is well regarded for his versatility, and has held the...
ProfessionSwimmer
Date of Birth9 May 1980
events hard nice pick rather tough work
I work very hard and pick the tough events or rather they pick me more so, and it is nice to come away and be appreciated.
career gold junior medals since taken trained
I've been with him since I was six. For him to have trained me as a junior and taken me through my career and to gold medals has been amazing,
body extremely felt five gears second six tough
My body felt extremely tired, ... I've got five or six gears in me, but I was crunching to get into second without a clutch. It was a tough day.
allow chance criteria flawed injured needs perform problems slightly special
It is flawed slightly and needs some tweaking so if someone is injured or sick, they still have a chance of staking a claim. Generally, I've never had problems with our criteria as it's cut-throat and you must perform on the day. But there should be something discretionary to allow athletes, in special circumstances, the chance to be in the program.
against challenge forward looking swimming
I am looking forward to the challenge of swimming against him.
happy knowing returned smile
I am just so happy being back and the smile has returned knowing that I'm on the right track.
australia bar based bit choosing expense fairly fan games minds rankings selection swimming team understand wants
I am in two minds about it (the criteria). I think basing selection on world rankings is a bit harsh. I can understand Swimming Australia wants to set the bar fairly high, but I don't think it should be at the expense of a Commonwealth Games medal. I am a fan of choosing the team based on Commonwealth rankings.
against challenge feeling forward home looking motivated step sure swimming wanting watching
I am sure he is at home feeling motivated by watching this and wanting to step up again, ... I am looking forward to the challenge of swimming against him.
feeling home motivated step sure wanting watching
I am sure he is at home feeling motivated by watching this, and wanting to step up again,
attention broken celebrity five gold medals olympic remember won
I wouldn't say there's an imbalance. We have to remember that, yes, Ian is a big celebrity and he does get a lot of attention from the press, but he has broken 22 world records, won five Olympic gold medals and as many world championship gold medals. I think any attention he has gotten, he deserves.
enforced several
I would have been disqualified several times before if it had been enforced like this, definitely.
break following honestly problem settle shoulder since
I have had a shoulder problem since my post-Olympic break in 2004 and I honestly thought it would settle down after my break following the world championships this year,
bit given good happy job pressure start team
I did put a little bit of pressure on myself because I wanted to get the team off to a good start so given all the circumstances I was pretty happy with myself and the job I did.
clue far realize shock turned
I didn't have a clue he was there. I actually got a shock when I turned around and saw, ... I didn't even realize he was so far ahead.