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Hackett breaks silence over plane scandal
Grant Hackett expresses regret for his behaviour through a statement admitting he has "stuffed up more than once" and is embarrassed by his actions. (Vision courtesy Seven News Melbourne)
PT2M23S 620 349Swimming Australia won't be rushed into a decision on whether to pursue the idea of using Grant Hackett to assist the Australian team in the lead-up to the Rio Games as one of the sport's rising stars continued to back his presence on pool deck.
Hackett has yet to surface after his in-flight incident on Sunday, in which he was intoxicated and questioned by Federal Police following an altercation with a passenger. No charges were expected to be laid and he had yet to front the media.
High drama: This photo reportedly shows Grant Hackett slumped in a wheelchair after being removed from the plane. Photo: Channel Seven
Much of the focus now surrounds what role, if any, he might play heading towards Rio. The sport's governing body wasn't speaking on Tuesday but has said ensuring Hackett was back to full health remained its top priority.
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The Australian Olympic Committee (AOC), through Chef de Mission Kitty Chiller, said it would only determine whether Hackett could be accredited for the Games if he was nominated by Swimming Australia.
"That's up to Swimming Australia how they would potentially use him. We'd have to wait to see what Swimming nominated to us as we do with any athlete or official that any national federation nominate to us. We would then determine whether that was appropriate use of accreditation or not," Chiller said.
In Hackett's corner: Kyle Chalmers. Photo: Brendon Thorne
Given the context of his most recent incident, having Hackett associated with the team would appear unlikely but not impossible. Even in the light of his plane incident, he retains the respect of fellow swimmers, most of whom appear far more forgiving than the general public.
Breaststroke great Leisel Jones has already pleaded his case should Hackett be available to assist with the Rio preparations, while 17-year-old freestyler Kyle Chalmers said he didn't think any less of the 1500m champion in the wake of his aeronautical antics.
Chalmers will make his Olympic debut in Brazil after finishing second to Cameron McEvoy in the trials in Adelaide and said Hackett remained a source of inspiration.
Backer: Leisel Jones. Photo: Getty Images
"He's still a massive role model for me and I'll stay in touch with him over the next few months hopefully and we'll see what happens," Chalmers said.
"He's a great guy to have around the team I'd love for him to be able to come away with the team and be a mentor for us. (He's got) so much knowledge."
The notion of Hackett being a team mentor for Rio was only in its formative stages, with Hackett at the time also juggling a potential contract wth Channel Seven as an on-air talent on the pool deck.
The 35-year-old had embraced the idea immediately after he missed his final chance to make the team, while Swimming Australia chief executive Mark Anderson and coach Jacco Verhaeren were also open to the prospect.
But even if it had have been undertaken, there was no guarantee that role would have stretched to Rio and may have just included duties on the domestic front as swimmers prepared for pre-Games meets and a Grand Prix event to be held in Brisbane.
The Australian Swimmers Association has reached out to Hackett to try and assist with his transition to life outside of the pool. It has offered the same help for all of those who missed Olympic selection at the Adelaide trials.
The ASA's president, former Olympic swimmer Marieke D'Cruz, said it could not condone Hackett's behaviour but knew of the pitfalls of trying to adjust to life outside the fast lanes.
"Given this, it is easy to understand how someone like Grant Hackett, who is so likeable and professional on pool deck can fall to pieces outside of the pool. It is something, though, as a sport, we are now acutely aware of," D'Cruz wrote on TheHuffington Post .
Earlier, Swimming Australia president John Bertrand played down rumours that Hackett's entire comeback was a PR stunt designed to earn him a television contract. Hackett made the team for the world titles in Russia last year and presented in strong shape in Adelaide.
"He gave it a shot to be part of the swim team," Bertrand said. "That was it. For the pure reasons."