View source for Grant Hackett

{{Short description|Australian swimmer}}
{{Use Australian English|date=November 2011}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=August 2020}}
{{Infobox swimmer
| name           = Grant Hackett<br/>{{postnominals|country=AUS|OAM}}
| image          = Olympian Grant Hackett takes the Pledge (34690236782) (cropped).jpg
| image_size     = <!-- Only for images narrower than 220 pixels -->
| caption        = 
| alt            = 
| fullname       = Grant Hackett
| nicknames      = 
| national_team  = {{AUS}}
| strokes        = [[Freestyle swimming|Freestyle]]
| club           = Miami Swimming Club, Gold Coast Canoe, [[Melbourne Vicentre]] 
| coach          = 
| collegeteam    = 
| birth_date     = {{Birth date and age|1980|5|9|df=y}}
| birth_place    = [[Southport, Queensland]], Australia 
| death_date     = 
| death_place    = 
| height         = {{convert|197|cm|ftin|abbr=on}}
| weight         = {{convert|96|kg|lb|abbr=on}}
| medaltemplates = 
{{MedalSport | Men's swimming}}
{{MedalCountry | Australia}}
{{MedalCount|total=yes
|[[Swimming at the Summer Olympics|Olympic Games]]|3|3|1
|[[FINA World Aquatics Championships|World Championships (LC)]]|10|6|3
|[[FINA World Swimming Championships (25 m)|World Championships (SC)]]|7|0|1
|[[Pan Pacific Swimming Championships|Pan Pacific Championships]]|9|4|0
|[[Swimming at the Commonwealth Games|Commonwealth Games]]|5|3|0
|[[Swimming at the Goodwill Games|Goodwill Games]]|2|1|0
}}
{{MedalCompetition | [[Swimming at the Summer Olympics|Olympic Games]]}}
{{MedalGold | [[Swimming at the 2000 Summer Olympics|2000 Sydney]] | [[Swimming at the 2000 Summer Olympics – Men's 1500 metre freestyle|1500 m freestyle]]}}
{{MedalGold | 2000 Sydney | [[Swimming at the 2000 Summer Olympics – Men's 4 × 200 metre freestyle relay|4×200 m freestyle]]}}
{{MedalGold | [[Swimming at the 2004 Summer Olympics|2004 Athens]] | [[Swimming at the 2004 Summer Olympics – Men's 1500 metre freestyle|1500 m freestyle]]}}
{{MedalSilver | 2004 Athens | [[Swimming at the 2004 Summer Olympics – Men's 400 metre freestyle|400 m freestyle]]}}
{{MedalSilver | 2004 Athens | [[Swimming at the 2004 Summer Olympics – Men's 4 × 200 metre freestyle relay|4×200 m freestyle]]}}
{{MedalSilver | [[Swimming at the 2008 Summer Olympics|2008 Beijing]] | [[Swimming at the 2008 Summer Olympics – Men's 1500 metre freestyle|1500 m freestyle]]}}
{{MedalBronze | 2008 Beijing | [[Swimming at the 2008 Summer Olympics – Men's 4 × 200 metre freestyle relay|4×200 m freestyle]]}}
{{MedalCompetition | [[FINA World Aquatics Championships|World Championships (LC)]]}}
{{MedalGold | [[Swimming at the 1998 World Aquatics Championships|1998 Perth]] | [[Swimming at the 1998 World Aquatics Championships – Men's 1500 metre freestyle|1500 m freestyle]]}}
{{MedalGold | 1998 Perth | [[Swimming at the 1998 World Aquatics Championships – Men's 4 × 200 metre freestyle relay|4×200 m freestyle]]}}
{{MedalGold | [[Swimming at the 2001 World Aquatics Championships|2001 Fukuoka]] | [[Swimming at the 2001 World Aquatics Championships – Men's 1500 metre freestyle|1500 m freestyle]]}}
{{MedalGold | 2001 Fukuoka | [[Swimming at the 2001 World Aquatics Championships – Men's 4 × 200 metre freestyle relay|4×200 m freestyle]]}}
{{MedalGold | [[Swimming at the 2003 World Aquatics Championships|2003 Barcelona]] | [[Swimming at the 2003 World Aquatics Championships – Men's 800 metre freestyle|800 m freestyle]]}}
{{MedalGold | 2003 Barcelona | [[Swimming at the 2003 World Aquatics Championships – Men's 1500 metre freestyle|1500 m freestyle]]}}
{{MedalGold | 2003 Barcelona | [[Swimming at the 2003 World Aquatics Championships – Men's 4 × 200 metre freestyle relay|4×200 m freestyle]]}}
{{MedalGold | [[Swimming at the 2005 World Aquatics Championships|2005 Montreal]] | [[Swimming at the 2005 World Aquatics Championships – Men's 400 metre freestyle|400 m freestyle]]}}
{{MedalGold | 2005 Montreal | [[Swimming at the 2005 World Aquatics Championships – Men's 800 metre freestyle|800 m freestyle]]}}
{{MedalGold | 2005 Montreal | [[Swimming at the 2005 World Aquatics Championships – Men's 1500 metre freestyle|1500 m freestyle]]}}
{{MedalSilver | 1998 Perth | [[Swimming at the 1998 World Aquatics Championships – Men's 400 metre freestyle|400 m freestyle]]}}
{{MedalSilver | 2001 Fukuoka | [[Swimming at the 2001 World Aquatics Championships – Men's 400 metre freestyle|400 m freestyle]]}}
{{MedalSilver | 2001 Fukuoka | [[Swimming at the 2001 World Aquatics Championships – Men's 800 metre freestyle|800 m freestyle]]}}
{{MedalSilver | 2003 Barcelona | [[Swimming at the 2003 World Aquatics Championships – Men's 400 metre freestyle|400 m freestyle]]}}
{{MedalSilver | 2005 Montreal | [[Swimming at the 2005 World Aquatics Championships – Men's 200 metre freestyle|200 m freestyle]]}}
{{MedalSilver | [[Swimming at the 2007 World Aquatics Championships|2007 Melbourne]] | [[Swimming at the 2007 World Aquatics Championships – Men's 400 metre freestyle|400 m freestyle]]}}
{{MedalBronze | 2003 Barcelona | [[Swimming at the 2003 World Aquatics Championships – Men's 200 metre freestyle|200 m freestyle]]}}
{{MedalBronze | 2005 Montreal | [[Swimming at the 2005 World Aquatics Championships – Men's 4 × 200 metre freestyle relay|4×200 m freestyle]]}}
{{MedalBronze | [[2015 World Aquatics Championships|2015 Kazan]] | [[Swimming at the 2015 World Aquatics Championships – Men's 4 × 200 metre freestyle relay|4×200 m freestyle]]}}
{{MedalCompetition | [[FINA World Swimming Championships (25 m)|World Championships (SC)]]}}
{{MedalGold | [[1997 FINA World Swimming Championships (25 m)|1997 Gothenburg]] | 1500 m freestyle}}
{{MedalGold | 1997 Gothenburg | 4×200 m freestyle}}
{{MedalGold | [[1999 FINA World Swimming Championships (25 m)|1999 Hong Kong]] | 400 m freestyle}}
{{MedalGold | 1999 Hong Kong | 1500m freestyle}}
{{MedalGold | [[2002 FINA World Swimming Championships (25 m)|2002 Moscow]] | 400 m freestyle}}
{{MedalGold | 2002 Moscow | 1500 m freestyle}}
{{MedalGold | 2002 Moscow | 4×200 m freestyle}}
{{MedalBronze | 1997 Gothenburg | 400 m freestyle}}
{{MedalCompetition | [[Swimming at the Goodwill Games|Goodwill Games]]}}
{{MedalGold | [[Swimming at the 2001 Goodwill Games|2001 Brisbane]] | 200 m freestyle}}
{{MedalGold | 2001 Brisbane | 1500 m freestyle}}
{{MedalSilver | 2001 Brisbane | 400 m freestyle}}
{{MedalCompetition | [[Pan Pacific Swimming Championships|Pan Pacific Championships]]}}
{{MedalGold | [[1997 Pan Pacific Swimming Championships|1997 Fukuoka]] | [[1997 Pan Pacific Swimming Championships – Men's 400 metre freestyle|400 m freestyle]]}}
{{MedalGold | 1997 Fukuoka | [[1997 Pan Pacific Swimming Championships – Men's 800 metre freestyle|800 m freestyle]]}}
{{MedalGold | 1997 Fukuoka | [[1997 Pan Pacific Swimming Championships – Men's 1500 metre freestyle|1500 m freestyle]]}}
{{MedalGold | [[1999 Pan Pacific Swimming Championships|1999 Sydney]] | [[1999 Pan Pacific Swimming Championships – Men's 1500 metre freestyle|1500 m freestyle]]}}
{{MedalGold | 1999 Sydney | [[1999 Pan Pacific Swimming Championships – Men's 4 × 200 metre freestyle relay|4×200 m freestyle]]}}
{{MedalGold | [[2002 Pan Pacific Swimming Championships|2002 Yokohama]] | [[2002 Pan Pacific Swimming Championships – Men's 800 metre freestyle|800 m freestyle]]}}
{{MedalGold | 2002 Yokohama | [[2002 Pan Pacific Swimming Championships – Men's 1500 metre freestyle|1500 m freestyle]]}}
{{MedalGold | 2002 Yokohama | [[2002 Pan Pacific Swimming Championships – Men's 4 × 100 metre freestyle relay|4×100 m freestyle]]}}
{{MedalGold | 2002 Yokohama | [[2002 Pan Pacific Swimming Championships – Men's 4 × 200 metre freestyle relay|4×200 m freestyle]]}}
{{MedalSilver | [[1997 Pan Pacific Swimming Championships|1997 Fukuoka]] | [[1997 Pan Pacific Swimming Championships – Men's 4 × 200 metre freestyle relay|4×200 m freestyle]]}}
{{MedalSilver | 1999 Sydney | [[1999 Pan Pacific Swimming Championships – Men's 400 metre freestyle|400 m freestyle]]}}
{{MedalSilver | 2002 Yokohama | [[2002 Pan Pacific Swimming Championships – Men's 400 metre freestyle|400 m freestyle]]}}
{{MedalSilver | 2002 Yokohama | [[2002 Pan Pacific Swimming Championships – Men's 200 metre freestyle|200 m freestyle]]}}
{{MedalCompetition | [[Swimming at the Commonwealth Games|Commonwealth Games]]}}
{{MedalGold | [[Swimming at the 1998 Commonwealth Games|1998 Kla Lumpur]] | [[Swimming at the 1998 Commonwealth Games – Men's 1500 metre freestyle|1500 m freestyle]]}}
{{MedalGold | 1998 Kla Lumpur | [[Swimming at the 1998 Commonwealth Games – Men's 4 × 200 metre freestyle relay|4×200 m freestyle]]}}
{{MedalGold | [[Swimming at the 2002 Commonwealth Games|2002 Manchester]] | [[Swimming at the 2002 Commonwealth Games – Men's 1500 metre freestyle|1500 m freestyle]]}}
{{MedalGold | 2002 Manchester | [[Swimming at the 2002 Commonwealth Games – Men's 4 × 100 metre freestyle relay|4×100 m freestyle]]}}
{{MedalGold | 2002 Manchester | [[Swimming at the 2002 Commonwealth Games – Men's 4 × 200 metre freestyle relay|4×200 m freestyle]]}}
{{MedalSilver | 1998 Kla Lumpur | [[Swimming at the 1998 Commonwealth Games – Men's 400 metre freestyle|400 m freestyle]]}}
{{MedalSilver | 2002 Manchester | [[Swimming at the 2002 Commonwealth Games – Men's 200 metre freestyle|200 m freestyle]]}}
{{MedalSilver | 2002 Manchester | [[Swimming at the 2002 Commonwealth Games – Men's 400 metre freestyle|400 m freestyle]]}}
}}
'''Grant George Hackett''' [[Order of Australia|OAM]] (born 9 May 1980) is an Australian swimmer, most famous for winning the men's 1500 metres [[freestyle swimming|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 was well regarded for his versatility, and has held the long course world records in the 200 m, 800 m, and 1500 m freestyle events. He dominated the 1500&nbsp;m event for a decade, being undefeated in the event in finals from 1996 until the [[2007 World Aquatics Championships]]. In total, he won 10 long-course world championship gold medals.

Hackett was the captain of the Australian swimming team from the time the role was reintroduced in 2005 until his retirement in 2008.

Hackett worked for the [[Nine Network]], often hosting ''Wide World of Sports''.  Hackett's contract as a Westpac Banking Corporation ambassador was not renewed in February 2012 after 13 years in the role, but he remains an employee of the organisation. He is currently the Chief Executive Officer of Generation Life.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://genlife.com.au/about-us | title=About us &#124; Generation Life }}</ref>

==Early life==
Hackett was born at [[Southport, Queensland|Southport]] on the [[Gold Coast, Queensland|Gold Coast]] of Queensland. He is the son of a policeman and younger brother of a [[Ironman (surf lifesaving)|Surf Lifesaving champion]]. Hackett's mother, Margaret, had his brother Craig six years before he was born, as she was diagnosed with cancer between the two boys' births, and was told due to the cancer she was unlikely to ever have more children, however she later fell pregnant with Grant. He attended [[Merrimac State High School]].{{cn|date=February 2025}}

==Swimming career==
Hackett first achieved prominence on debut at the 1997 Pan Pacific Championships, where he first won the 1500 metres. He also won the 400 m freestyle, recording his only international victory over the yet-to-be-famous [[Ian Thorpe]] at the distance in international long course competition.

===1998 World Championships===
During the 1998 World Championships, he again won the 1500 m but was narrowly upset by Thorpe in the 400 m. He also combined with Thorpe, [[Michael Klim]] and [[Daniel Kowalski]] to win the 4 × 200 m freestyle relay, beginning a six-year winning streak in the event over the United States.

{| class="wikitable"
! Event !! Results !! Time
|-
|Men's 400m Freestyle
|bgcolor="Silver"| Silver Medal || 3:46.44
|-
|Men's 1500m Freestyle
|bgcolor="Gold"| Gold Medal || 14:51.70
|-
|Men's 4 × 200 m Freestyle
|bgcolor="Gold"| Gold Medal || 7:12.48 
|}

These results were replicated at the [[1998 Commonwealth Games]] in [[Kuala Lumpur]]. From 1997 to 2007 he was unbeaten in the 1500 m, winning it at every major world competition, including the World Championships, Pan Pacific Championships, Olympics, Commonwealth and Australian Championships.

In 1999, Hackett broke his first world record, unexpectedly breaking [[Giorgio Lamberti]]'s 200 m freestyle world record while leading off his club relay team at the Australian Championships. That record was subsequently broken by Ian Thorpe in the same year at the 1999 Pan Pacific Championships in Sydney, although Hackett himself bettered his old mark. Hackett himself claimed the 1500 m freestyle, and combined with Thorpe, Klim and [[Bill Kirby]] to break the world record in the 4 × 200 m freestyle.

===2000 Summer Olympics===
{{see also|Swimming at the 2000 Summer Olympics|Swimming at the 2000 Summer Olympics – Men's 4 × 200 metre freestyle relay}}
{{MedalTop}}
{{MedalCountry|{{AUS}}}}
{{MedalSport | [[2000 Summer Olympics|2000 Sydney]] – Men's [[Swimming at the 2000 Summer Olympics|Swimming]]}}
{{MedalGold| 4&nbsp;×&nbsp;200&nbsp;m&nbsp;freestyle&nbsp;relay|7&nbsp;min&nbsp;07.05&nbsp;s&nbsp;(WR)}}
{{MedalGold  | 1500&nbsp;m freestyle|14&nbsp;min 48.33&nbsp;s}}
{{MedalBottom}}

Entering the Sydney Olympics in 2000, Hackett was the overwhelming favourite in the 1500 m freestyle, and was also expected to help Thorpe take a [[Quinella (bet)|quinella]] in the 200 m and 400 m events. However, due to a virus, he was well short of his best and finished eighth and seventh, respectively, in these events. He followed this with an extremely slow swim in the heats of the 4 × 200 m freestyle relay, and was dropped from the final quartet, being replaced by [[Todd Pearson]]. By the time the final of the 1500 m freestyle came, Hackett had qualified third behind sentimental favourite [[Kieren Perkins]], who was being vocally cheered by the crowd. In the face of the immense pressure, Hackett adopted a more attacking, fast-starting approach, and managed to hang on to claim gold.

===2001 World Championships===
At the 2001 World Championships in [[Fukuoka, Fukuoka|Fukuoka]], Hackett was in the peak of his speed. He set personal bests in the 200 m, 400 m 800 m and 1500 m freestyle events, finishing second to Thorpe in both 400 m and 800m, and bettering the 800 m world record in the latter. Along with Thorpe, Klim and Kirby, they bettered the previous world record in the 4 × 200 m freestyle. In the 1500 m, Hackett attacked immediately, and stayed well ahead of Perkins' world record, and with the crowd standing and willing him on, he broke the record by 7 seconds, to claim gold.

{| class="wikitable"
! Event !! Results !! Time !! 
|-
|Men's 400m Freestyle
|bgcolor="silver"| Silver Medal || 3:42.51 ||
|-
|Men's 800m Freestyle
|bgcolor="silver"| Silver Medal || 7:40.34 ||
|-
|Men's 1500m Freestyle
|bgcolor="gold"| Gold Medal || 14:34.56 ||bgcolor="00CC33"| '''WR'''
|-
|Men's 4 × 200 m Freestyle
|bgcolor="Gold"| Gold Medal || 7:04.66 ||bgcolor="00CC33"| '''WR'''
|}

===2003 World Championships===
In the 2003 World Championships in Barcelona, Hackett picked up five medals; three gold, a silver and a bronze. Despite capturing individual medals in 200, 400, 800 and 1500 freestyle events for the first time in an international meet, Hackett failed to break any personal best times.

{| class="wikitable"
! Event !! Results !! Time
|-
|Men's 200m Freestyle
|bgcolor="996633"| Bronze Medal || 1:46.85 
|-
|Men's 400m Freestyle
|bgcolor="silver"| Silver Medal || 3:45.17 
|-
|Men's 800m Freestyle
|bgcolor="gold"| Gold Medal || 7:43.82 
|-
|Men's 1500m Freestyle
|bgcolor="gold"| Gold Medal || 14:43.14 
|-
|Men's 4 × 200 m Freestyle
|bgcolor="Gold"| Gold Medal || 7:08.58 
|}

===2004 Summer Olympics===
{{see also|Swimming at the 2004 Summer Olympics}}
{{MedalTop}}
{{MedalCountry|{{AUS}}}}
{{MedalSport | [[2004 Summer Olympics|2004 Athens]] – Men's [[Swimming at the 2004 Summer Olympics|Swimming]]}}
{{MedalSilver | 400&nbsp;m freestyle|3&nbsp;min 43.36&nbsp;s }}
{{MedalSilver| 4&nbsp;×&nbsp;200&nbsp;m freestyle relay|7&nbsp;min 07.46&nbsp;s}}
{{MedalGold| 1500&nbsp;m freestyle|14&nbsp;min 43.40&nbsp;s }}
{{MedalBottom}}

At 196&nbsp;cm (six foot five) and 89.8&nbsp;kg (198 pounds), Hackett won the gruelling 1500 metres race by sheer physical strength and stamina. He showed this in Sydney when he won despite having only partly recovered from illness, and again in Athens, when he survived challenges from swimmers ([[Larsen Jensen]] and [[David Davies (swimmer)|David Davies]]) both six years his junior to hang on to win the race, despite a partially collapsed lung. This came after a solid swim in the 400 m to claim silver behind Thorpe, and a lackluster performance in the individual 200 m, 
followed by an unconvincing swim in the lead-off leg of the 4 × 200 m relay, when he was 1.66 seconds off his best. His sluggish heat swim placed him third, raising concerns within the Australian camp. After the Olympics, it was revealed that one of his lungs was partially collapsed, leaving his total lung capacity diminished by 25%.<ref>{{Cite news |date=2004-11-02 |title=I won Athens gold with collapsed lung: Hackett |language=en-AU |work=ABC News |url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2004-11-02/i-won-athens-gold-with-collapsed-lung-hackett/578876 |access-date=2023-12-15}}</ref>

===2005 World Championships===
In 2005, Swimming Australia introduced the concept of a captain for the swimming team. Hackett was awarded this honour, and led Australia in the World Championships at [[Montreal|Montreal, Quebec]], Canada. He won gold medals in the 400 m, 800 m and 1500 m freestyle (as well as silver in the 200 m freestyle), the first person to achieve this feat, along with the only swimmer to medal in four distances in a single world championships. His victory in the 800 m event broke Thorpe's world record, and his 1500 m victory saw him become the first to win an event four times at a World Championships. He anchored the 4 × 200 m team to bronze with a split of 1:44.84, making him the second fastest performer in relay splits. He was named as FINA's Male swimmer of the meet.

{| class="wikitable"
! Event !! Results !! Time
|-
|Men's 200m Freestyle
|bgcolor="silver"| Silver Medal || 1:46.14 
|-
|Men's 400m Freestyle
|bgcolor="gold"| Gold Medal || 3:42.91 
|-
|Men's 800m Freestyle
|bgcolor="gold"| Gold Medal || 7:38.65 || bgcolor="00CC33"| '''WR'''
|-
|Men's 1500m Freestyle
|bgcolor="gold"| Gold Medal || 14:42.58 
|-
|Men's 4 × 200 m Freestyle
|bgcolor="996633"| Bronze Medal || 7:10.59
|}

In November 2005, Hackett announced his withdrawal from the [[2006 Commonwealth Games]] due to being unavailable for the selection trials because of a minor surgery to correct a shoulder injury. However, he was given dispensation to act as a non-competing captain in order to mentor the fellow swimmers in the lead-up to the competition.

In late 2006, Hackett relocated to Melbourne for personal reasons. He attributed his disrupted preparation to adjusting with his new regime. Prior to the [[2007 World Aquatics Championships]], he presented a pessimistic outlook of his prospects.

===2007 World Championships===
He qualified last in the 400&nbsp;m event, but led in the final before fading in the last lap to take the bronze medal. He qualified fifth in the 800&nbsp;m event, but finished seventh, more than ten seconds behind the winner. In the 1500&nbsp;m final Hackett came seventh, ending his decade long unbeaten streak in the event.

{| class="wikitable"
! Event !! Results !! Time
|-
|Men's 400m Freestyle
|bgcolor="silver"| Silver Medal || 3:45.43 
|-
|Men's 800m Freestyle
|bgcolor="white"| 6th || 7:55.39
|-
|Men's 1500m Freestyle
|bgcolor="white"| 7th || 14:59.59
|}

In December 2007, Hackett competed in and won his first national championship 10&nbsp;km Open Water race. By barely edging out veteran open-water swimmer and [[Ironman (surf lifesaving)|surf Ironman]] [[Ky Hurst]], the pair both qualified for the World Championships in Seville, Spain. However, Hackett failed to finish in the top 10 in this event, and therefore missed out on qualifying for the 10&nbsp;km open water swim at the 2008 Summer Olympics.<ref>{{cite news | last=Cowley | first=Michael | title=Hackett fails in open water | date=5 May 2008 |work=The Age |location=Australia | url=http://www.theage.com.au/news/beijing2008/hackett-fails-in-open-water/2008/05/04/1209839454865.html}}</ref> He was also criticised for appearing to be overweight after the event, a claim that he rejected as "ridiculous".<ref>{{cite news | last=Paxinos | first=Stathi | title=No muffin top here: Hackett fighting fit | date=7 May 2008|work=The Age |location=Australia | url=http://www.theage.com.au/news/beijing2008/no-muffin-top-here-hackett-fighting-fit/2008/05/07/1209839706952.html}}</ref>

At the 2008 Victorian Short Course Swimming Championships, his final Australian meet before departing for the Olympics, Hackett broke his own 800 metres freestyle world record – lowering the mark by almost two seconds to 7:23.42.<ref>{{cite news|title=Hackett on track after short course WR|url=http://www.hansonsportsmedia.com/article.asp?id=2423|work=Hanson Sports Media|date=22 July 2008|access-date=24 July 2008}} {{Dead link|date=October 2010|bot=H3llBot}}</ref>

===2008 Olympics===
[[File:2008 Australian Olympic team Grant Hackett 3 - Sarah Ewart.jpg|Hackett (left) at the Melbourne homecoming parade for 2008 Olympic Team|left|thumbnail|260px]]
Though Hackett failed to qualify for the 10,000m; he succeeded in other events. He swam the 400m and 1500m freestyle and the 4 × 200 m freestyle relay. In the 1500m he finished second, winning the silver medal behind [[Tunisia]]n [[Oussama Mellouli]]. Had he won, he would have been the first male swimmer to win three successive Olympic titles in the same event, an opportunity denied to two-time Olympic 1500m champion [[Vladimir Salnikov]] due to the [[1984 Summer Olympics boycott|1984 Summer Olympics communist boycott]]. Hackett won the individual 200m freestyle swim at the Olympic trials but as he was not seeking a berth in the event he handed his spot in the Olympic competition in this event to the third-place finisher at the trials, [[Nicholas Sprenger]].
{| class="wikitable"
! Event !! Results !! Time
|-
|Men's 400m Freestyle
|bgcolor="white"| 6th || 3:43.84 
|-
|Men's 1500m Freestyle
|bgcolor="silver"| Silver Medal || 14:41.53
|-
|Men's 4 × 200 m Freestyle
|bgcolor="996633"| Bronze Medal || 7:04.98 
|}
{{clear}}

===2015 World Championships Comeback===
After six and half years since racing a major competition and after six months of training under his belt. At the Australian Championships, Hackett finished fourth in the 200m freestyle, qualifying for the 4 × 200 m freestyle relay for the [[2015 World Aquatics Championships]]. He also won a bronze medal in the 400m freestyle. At the 2015 World Championships in Kazan, he won a bronze medal for swimming in the heats of the [[Swimming at the 2015 World Aquatics Championships – Men's 4 × 200 metre freestyle relay|4 × 200 m freestyle relay]], thereby winning his first international medal since the 2008 Olympics.

==Career best times==
Hackett has set quite a number of world records both short course and long course. His world records in the 1500 metre (long course and short course) and 800 metre short course were the only men's world records that survived the 2008/2009 release of the high tech Polyurethane suits.

{|
|-
||
{| class="wikitable" 
|+ Long Course Personal bests
|- bgcolor="#eeeeee"
| '''Event'''
| align="center" | '''Time'''
| align="center" | '''Record'''
|-
|  200 m freestyle || align="center" | 1:45.61 
| bgcolor="orange" align="center" | Former WR Holder || align="center" | 2004
|-
|  400 m freestyle || align="center" | 3:42.51
| align="center" |  || align="center" | 2001
|-
|  800 m freestyle || align="center" | 7:38.65
| bgcolor="orange" align="center" | Former WR Holder || align="center" | 2005
|-
|  1500 m freestyle || align="center" | 14:34.56
| bgcolor="orange" align="center" | Former WR Holder || align="center" | 2001
|-
|  4 × 200 m freestyle || align="center" | 7:04.66
| bgcolor="orange" align="center" | Former WR Holder || align="center" | 2001
|-
|}
||
{| class="wikitable" 
|+ Short Course Personal bests
|- bgcolor="#eeeeee"
| '''Event'''
| align="center" | '''Time'''
| align="center" | '''Record'''
|-
|  200 m freestyle || align="center" | 1:42.48 
| align="center" |  || align="center" | 2003
|-
|  400 m freestyle || align="center" | 3:34.56
| bgcolor="orange" align="center" | Former WR Holder || align="center" | 2003
|-
|  800 m freestyle || align="center" | 7:23.42<ref name="fina.org">{{cite web |url=http://www.fina.org/H2O/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=1271&Itemid=633 |title=World Swimming Records |access-date=2013-10-31 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131031072322/http://www.fina.org/H2O/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=1271&Itemid=633 |archive-date=31 October 2013}}</ref>
| bgcolor="orange" align="center" | Former WR Holder || align="center" | 2008
|-
|  1500 m freestyle || align="center" | 14:10.10<ref name="fina.org"/>
| bgcolor="orange" align="center" | Former WR Holder || align="center" | 2001
|-
|  4 × 200 m freestyle || align="center" | 6:52:66
| bgcolor="orange" align="center" | Former WR Holder || align="center" | 2007
|}
|}

==Media career==
[[File:Grant Hackett in Chicago (34468598630).jpg|thumb|right|Hackett in May 2017]]

Hackett is currently contracted to the [[Nine Network]], having previously worked with the [[Seven Network]].

In October 2008, Hackett joined [[Nine News#Melbourne (Victoria statewide)|''Nine News Melbourne'']] as the weekend sport presenter, replacing [[Heath O'Loughlin]]. However, in November 2009, Nine announced that Hackett would no longer continue as weekend sports presenter, but would continue with the network in other capacities.

Hackett was an expert commentator for [[Amazon Prime Video]] for the 2021 Swimming Australia Olympic Trials and the 2022 Australian Swimming Championships.

==Personal life==
Hackett holds a double degree in commerce and law, and an executive MBA from [[Bond University]].<ref>. [http://www.couriermail.com.au/entertainment/celebrity/olympic-swimming-champion-grant-hackett-masters-his-university-studies/story-fncak5zz-1226489760643 Olympic swimming champion Grant Hackett masters his university studies]. Courier Mail, Retrieved 11 October 2012.</ref><ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20110311101231/http://enews.bond.edu.au/link/id/a0f0ecfc2ec5eebffe6bP173eb473706304500c26/page.html?extra=bec82c31b5807b9736eb Our Sporting Stars Make a Splash in Beijing]. Bond University. Retrieved 11 October 2012.</ref><ref>{{cite news | last=Bellamy | first=Louise | title=Swimming and the city | date=14 July 2008 |work=The Age |location=Australia| url=http://www.theage.com.au/news/beijing2008/swimming-and-the-city/2008/07/14/1215887537058.html?page=fullpage#contentSwap1}}</ref>

On 14 April 2007, Hackett married Australian singer [[Candice Alley]]. In March 2009, Hackett announced that his wife was expecting twins and in September she gave birth to a son named Jagger Emilio and a girl named Charlize Alley.<ref>[http://www.news.com.au/entertainment/celebrity-life/grant-hacketts-twins-joy/story-e6frfmqi-1111119144689 Grant Hackett's twins joy]. news.com.au. Retrieved 3 December 2016</ref> On 3 May 2012, Alley and Hackett announced that they were separating. They divorced in August 2013.<ref>[http://www.news.com.au/entertainment/celebrity-life/candice-alley-tells-who-magazine-that-twins-jagger-and-charlize-have-saved-her-after-split-with-grant-hackett/story-e6frfmqi-1226352753568 Candice Alley says her twins have saved her since split with Hackett]. news.com.au, Retrieved 3 December 2016</ref>

In December 2020, Hackett married his partner Sharlene Fletcher. They have a son Edward together. In August 2023, they had their second child together - a daughter, Olympia. He is an advocate for Mental Health.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://au.sports.yahoo.com/grant-hackett-secret-wedding-australian-swim-legend-marries-sharlene-fletcher-212429460.html|title='So blessed': Grant Hackett gets hitched in secret wedding ceremony|publisher=Yahoo Sports|date=21 December 2020|last=Reid|first=Andrew|access-date=15 June 2021}}</ref>

==Controversies==
On 29 October 2011, police were called to attend a dispute at Hackett and Alley's Melbourne apartment, which was reportedly found in disarray.<ref>{{cite news| url=http://www.news.com.au/entertainment/celebrity/drama-as-grant-hackett-and-candice-alleys-home-is-trashed-and-police-called/story-e6frfmqi-1226181860434 | work=Herald Sun | title=Drama as Grant Hackett and Candice Alley's home is trashed and police called | date=1 November 2011}}</ref>

Hackett was questioned by police for an alleged assault during a flight from [[Adelaide]] to [[Melbourne]] on 17 April 2016.<ref name="plane1">{{cite web|url=http://www.smh.com.au/sport/swimming/grant-hackett-breaks-his-silence-on-plane-incident-20160418-go92h5.html|title=Grant Hackett breaks his silence on plane incident|last=Webster|first=Andrew|work=[[The Sydney Morning Herald]]|date=18 April 2016}}</ref><ref name="plane3">{{cite web|url=http://www.heraldsun.com.au/news/grant-hackett-plane-scandal-passenger-accuses-swimmer-of-groping-his-chest/news-story/9a6c3a40d277912d9b7ca3a824d70086|title=Grant Hackett plane scandal: Passenger accuses swimmer of groping his chest|last=Coster, Alice. Benns, Matthew. Rothfield, Phil|publisher=[[Herald Sun]]|date=18 April 2016}}</ref> Police sources say that he "went to the toilet for an extended period, taking a bag with him. He emerged aggressive and agitated, taking offence to a male business class passenger who reclined his seat".<ref name="plane1" /> He reportedly abused and grabbed the passenger on the chest before crew restrained him and contacted [[Australian Federal Police|Federal Police]].<ref name="plane1" /> The victim alleged he was sexually assaulted,<ref name="plane1" /> accusing Hackett of groping him.<ref name="plane3" /><ref name="plane2">{{cite web|url=http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/news/grant-hackett-aeroplane-row-police-called-after-virgin-airways-incident/news-story/f75a8d1822a2e58691abea4826a39ff8|title=Grant Hackett aeroplane row: Police called after Virgin Airways incident|last=Benns|first=Matthew. Flower, Wayne|publisher=[[The Daily Telegraph (Sydney)|Daily Telegraph]]|date=17 April 2016}}</ref> The man alleged that Hackett "tweaked my nipple quite forcefully."<ref name="plane3" /><ref name="plane2" /> Hackett said he had no recollection of touching the man's nipple, and said that the incident followed a period of heavy drinking.<ref name="plane4">{{cite web|url=http://www.couriermail.com.au/news/queensland/grant-hackett-breaks-silence-after-midflight-incident/news-story/b173ce536c68314f4699a366d8938b09|title=Grant Hackett breaks silence after mid-flight incident|last=Pierce|first=Jeremy|publisher=[[The Courier-Mail|Courier Mail]]|date=29 April 2016}}</ref> Hackett said he "stuffed up" and was embarrassed by his actions.<ref name="plane1" /><ref name="plane3" /> The victim chose not to press charges after receiving a personal apology.<ref name="plane3" />

On 15 February 2017 Hackett was arrested following a disturbance at his parents' house on Queensland's Gold Coast. Hackett had previously admitted a reliance on sleeping pills and had been battling mental health issues.<ref>{{cite news | last=Eaton | first=Matt | title=Grant Hackett a danger to himself, family struggling to cope, brother says | date=16 February 2016 |work=ABC |location=Australia | url=http://www.abc.net.au/news/2017-02-16/grant-hackett-danger-to-himself-family-struggling-to-cope/8274524}}</ref> Later that same day, his parents reported him missing from home, but before he was reported missing, Hackett posted a photo of himself on Instagram with cuts and bruises to his face and said his brother had beaten him. Hackett was subsequently found safe.<ref>{{cite news | last=The Telegraph | title=Grant Hackett 'found safe' after he was reported missing by his family amid concerns for swimming great's mental health | date=16 February 2017 |work=The Telegraph |location=UK| url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2017/02/16/swimming-great-grant-hackett-claims-angry-brother-beat/}}</ref>

==Honours==
Hackett received an [[Australian Sports Medal]] in 2000, and both a [[Centenary Medal]] and a Medal of the [[Order of Australia]] in 2001, the latter for his 2000 gold medal win.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://honours.pmc.gov.au/honours/awards/976951|title=Hackett, Grant: Australian Sports Medal|publisher=It's an Honour|access-date=22 September 2013}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://honours.pmc.gov.au/honours/awards/1118531|title=Hackett, Grant: Centenary Medal|publisher=It's an Honour|access-date=22 September 2013}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://honours.pmc.gov.au/honours/awards/887203|title=Hackett, Grant, OAM|publisher=It's an Honour|access-date=22 September 2013|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131003083219/http://www.itsanhonour.gov.au/honours/honour_roll/search.cfm?aus_award_id=887203&search_type=quick&showInd=true|archive-date=3 October 2013}}</ref>

==Awards==
In 2004 he was granted the "Key to the [[City of Gold Coast]]" in recognition of his outstanding achievement as a swimming champion.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.goldcoast.qld.gov.au/thegoldcoast/key-to-the-city-27637.html|title=Key to the City|last=Services|first=corporateName=Office of the COO {{!}} Corporate Communication {{!}} Web|website=www.goldcoast.qld.gov.au|language=en-au|access-date=2020-02-07|archive-date=7 February 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200207083720/https://www.goldcoast.qld.gov.au/thegoldcoast/key-to-the-city-27637.html|url-status=dead}}</ref> He was named as the Australian Swimmer of the Year in 2005, and was also named the [[List of Swimming World Swimmers of the Year|World Swimmer of the Year]] by ''[[Swimming World]]'' magazine. In 2009 as part of the [[Q150]] celebrations, Grant Hackett was announced as one of the [[Q150 Icons]] of Queensland for his role as a "sports legend".<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://statements.qld.gov.au/statement/id/64301|title=PREMIER UNVEILS QUEENSLAND'S 150 ICONS|last=Bligh|first=Anna|author-link=Anna Bligh|date=10 June 2009|publisher=[[Queensland Government]]|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170524033717/http://statements.qld.gov.au/statement/id/64301|archive-date=24 May 2017|access-date=24 May 2017}}</ref> In 2010 he was inducted into the [[Sport Australia Hall of Fame]],<ref>{{cite web|url=https://sahof.org.au/hall-of-fame-member/grant-hackett/|title=Grant Hackett|publisher=Sport Australia Hall of Fame|access-date=25 September 2020}}</ref> and the [[International Swimming Hall of Fame]] in 2014.<ref name=ishofprofile>{{cite web |url=http://www.ishof.org/grant-hackett-(aus).html |title=Grant Hackett (AUS) |website=ISHOF.org |publisher=[[International Swimming Hall of Fame]] |access-date=18 March 2015 |archive-date=2 April 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150402101329/http://www.ishof.org/grant-hackett-(aus).html |url-status=dead }}</ref>

==See also==
* [[List of Commonwealth Games medallists in swimming (men)]]
* [[List of Olympic medalists in swimming (men)]]
* [[World record progression 200 metres freestyle]]
* [[World record progression 400 metres freestyle]]
* [[World record progression 800 metres freestyle]]
* [[World record progression 1500 metres freestyle]]
* [[World record progression 4 × 200 metres freestyle relay]]

==References==
{{Reflist|30em}}

==External links==
* {{sports links}}
* {{IMDb name}}

{{s-start}}
{{s-ach|rec}}
{{succession box
| title  = [[World record progression 200 metres freestyle|Men's 200 metre freestyle<br />world record holder (long course)]]
| before = [[Giorgio Lamberti]]
| after  = [[Ian Thorpe]]
| years  = 23 March 1999 – 23 August 1999
| rec
}}
{{succession box
| title  = [[World record progression 800 metres freestyle|Men's 800 metre freestyle<br />world record holder (long course)]]
| before = [[Ian Thorpe]]
| after  = [[Zhang Lin (swimmer)|Zhang Lin]]
| years  = 27 July 2005 – 29 July 2009
| rec
}}
{{succession box
| title  = [[World record progression 1500 metres freestyle|Men's 1500 metre freestyle<br />world record holder (long course)]]
| before = [[Kieren Perkins]]
| after  = [[Sun Yang]]
| years  = 30 July 2001 – 31 July 2011
| rec
}}
{{succession box
| title = [[World record progression 800 metres freestyle|Men's 800 metre freestyle<br/> world record holder (short course)]]
| before = [[Kieren Perkins]]
| after = [[Daniel Wiffen]]
| years = 21 Aug 2001 &ndash; 10 Dec 2023
| rec
}}
{{succession box
| title = [[World record progression 1500 metres freestyle|Men's 1500 metre freestyle<br/> world record holder (short course)]]
| before = [[Kieren Perkins]]
| after = [[Gregorio Paltrinieri]]
| years = 27 Sep 1998 &ndash; 4 Dec 2015
| rec
}}
{{s-ach|aw}}
{{succession box|before=[[Michael Phelps]]|title=[[Swimming World Swimmers of the Year|''Swimming World''<br />World Swimmer of the Year]]|years=2005|after=[[Michael Phelps]]
}}
{{succession box
| title  = [[Swimming World Swimmers of the Year|Pacific Rim Swimmer of the Year]]
| before = [[Ian Thorpe]]
| after  = [[Park Tae-hwan]]
| years  = 2005
}}
{{s-media}}
{{succession box 
| title  = ''[[Nine News#Melbourne (Victoria statewide)|Nine News Melbourne]]'' <br /> Weekend sport presenter
| before = [[Heath O'Loughlin]]
| after  = [[Lisa Andrews]]
| years  = 18 October 2008 – November 2009
}}
{{s-end}}
{{Navboxes
|title = Grant Hackett – Navigation templates
|list1 =
{{Footer Olympic Champions 1500 m Freestyle Men}}
{{Footer World LC Champions 400m Freestyle Men}}
{{Footer World LC Champions 800m Freestyle Men}}
{{Footer World LC Champions 1500m Freestyle Men}}
{{Footer World LC Champions 4x200m Freestyle Men}}
{{Footer World SC Champions 400m Freestyle Men}}
{{Footer World SC Champions 1500m Freestyle Men}}
{{Footer World SC Champions 4x200m Freestyle Men}}
{{Footer Commonwealth Champions 1500m Freestyle Men}}
{{Footer Commonwealth Champions 4x100m Freestyle Men}}
{{Footer Pan Pacific Champions 400m Freestyle Men}}
{{Footer Pan Pacific Champions 800m Freestyle Men}}
{{Footer Pan Pacific Champions 1500m Freestyle Men}}
{{Footer Pan Pacific Champions 4x100m Freestyle Men}}
{{Footer Pan Pacific Champions 4x200m Freestyle Men}}
}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Hackett, Grant}}
[[Category:1980 births]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:Australian television newsreaders and news presenters]]
[[Category:Swimmers from the Gold Coast, Queensland]]
[[Category:Olympic swimmers for Australia]]
[[Category:Swimmers at the 2000 Summer Olympics]]
[[Category:Swimmers at the 2004 Summer Olympics]]
[[Category:Swimmers at the 2008 Summer Olympics]]
[[Category:Olympic gold medalists for Australia]]
[[Category:Olympic silver medalists for Australia]]
[[Category:Olympic bronze medalists for Australia]]
[[Category:Commonwealth Games silver medallists for Australia]]
[[Category:Commonwealth Games silver medallists in swimming]]
[[Category:World record holders in swimming]]
[[Category:Bond University alumni]]
[[Category:Recipients of the Medal of the Order of Australia]]
[[Category:Recipients of the Australian Sports Medal]]
[[Category:Sport Australia Hall of Fame inductees]]
[[Category:Australian Swimmers of the Year]]
[[Category:Commonwealth Games gold medallists for Australia]]
[[Category:Commonwealth Games swimmers for Australia]]
[[Category:Commonwealth Games gold medallists in swimming]]
[[Category:Olympic bronze medalists in swimming]]
[[Category:Australian male freestyle swimmers]]
[[Category:World Aquatics Championships medalists in swimming]]
[[Category:Medalists at the FINA World Swimming Championships (25 m)]]
[[Category:Medalists at the 2008 Summer Olympics]]
[[Category:Medalists at the 2004 Summer Olympics]]
[[Category:Medalists at the 2000 Summer Olympics]]
[[Category:Olympic gold medalists in swimming]]
[[Category:Olympic silver medalists in swimming]]
[[Category:Goodwill Games medalists in swimming]]
[[Category:Swimmers at the 1998 Commonwealth Games]]
[[Category:Swimmers at the 2002 Commonwealth Games]]
[[Category:Competitors at the 2001 Goodwill Games]]
[[Category:Medallists at the 1998 Commonwealth Games]]
[[Category:Medallists at the 2002 Commonwealth Games]]
[[Category:Sportsmen from Queensland]]
[[Category:21st-century Australian sportsmen]]