- Video
-
Club Roar
Captured a great grassroots sporting moment? We want to see it!Content Collections
The Roar Community
- Join
- Login
Grant Hackett is primed for his assault on the record books in Beijing, declaring himself the fastest he has been before an Olympics and mentally ready for anything.
The distance swimming warrior was in a buoyant mood at the Australian swim team’s training camp in Kuala Lumpur today.
The two-time 1500m champion appeared ultra-relaxed before his attempt to win a third straight Olympic title – a feat only achieved by one other Australian in Dawn Fraser.
“I feel that mentally I am ready to deal with any sort of situation,” said Hackett, his spirits raised by his recent lowering of his own 800m shortcourse world record.
The only visible sign of discomfort was a cut on his nose, apparently caused by scratching himself in his sleep.
As head coach Alan Thompson said, Hackett is in a “very good space”.
The Australian team captain had to overcome health problems to win titles at the 2000 Sydney and 2004 Athens Games but looked in great shape today.
“I think I am swimming faster than both of those times (in Sydney and Athens), I just have to get up and do it,” Hackett said.
“If I want to give myself any opportunity than I am going to have to swim faster than those times.”
The increased depth in the 1500m has meant that tactics are going to play a much bigger role than in Hackett’s previous two Olympic triumphs.
He must ensure he produces a solid enough time to progress without using up too much energy for the final.
His immense experience could give him an edge over his younger rivals in this department.
“I guess that is pretty valuable that racing experience I have over the years that will be something I will be using to get the timing right,” he said.
The extra time between the heats and final of the 1500m because of the change to morning finals could play into his hands as it allows his 28-year-old body additional time to recover.
He has found the switch in program beneficial in other ways.
“I actually found not waiting around all day (I was) not thinking about the race as much. You just wake up and get on with it.”
Hackett has a reputation for being a bit of a stress head but felt he had learnt how to keep calm.
“I think I get that from my dad,” he laughed.
“But I think I am handling that a bit better this time around compared to the last two Olympics.
“I am certainly not as worried.”
Ky Hurst, who has spent considerable time training with his good mate this year, said Hackett was ready to make his biggest impact at an Olympics in Beijing.
“I believe he is going to master these Games more so than any other Olympic Games we have seen before,” he said.
“I don’t want to put any pressure on him. But I believe that Grant is going to shine like the star that he is.”
Hackett opens his Olympic campaign on Saturday week in the heats of the 400m freestyle.