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Try as he might, Grant Hackett can no longer deny he is making a comeback after claiming a stunning 400m freestyle bronze medal at the national swimming titles in Sydney.
In his first major meet since the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games, the 34-year-old clocked three minutes, 46.53 seconds on Friday night to finish behind upset winner Mack Horton (3:42.84) and three-time defending champion David McKeon (3:44.28).
Hackett admitted his comeback was now official – much to his annoyance.
“Technically, it is a comeback, if that is what you want to call it,” he said.
“I can’t avoid it. I hate the word.
“Everyone knows it because that was not the intention.
“I am doing it for fun and that is how I am going to continue to do it.”
Armed with just six months’ training after a six-year absence, Hackett’s 400m final time was eight seconds faster than his best effort before the eight-day 2015 world titles trials.
He was stunned when he qualified fourth fastest for the 400m final.
And his head was positively spinning after touching the wall in third place as former teammate Ian Thorpe – who launched a failed comeback bid for the 2012 London Olympics – looked on from the stands.
“I don’t know what is going on,” Hackett said.
“I can’t believe I can do that after six months.
“Maybe I am a bit older and stronger.
“Who knows what I can do in another six months?”
Hackett had been expected to shine in the 200m freestyle where he could nab a 2015 world titles relay berth with a top-six finish.
But few tipped Hackett to stay with the likes of Glasgow Commonwealth Games silver medallist McKeon and 19-year-old young gun Horton for most of the race.
“I am as surprised as you – trust me,” Hackett said.
Hackett admitted the Rio Olympics were already on his mind but was not getting too far ahead of himself.
“The great thing is there is no expectations – everything is a bonus,” he said.
“I have nothing to prove in the sport.
“I have won Olympic gold medals, broken world records – I can’t do anything else.
“I just want to see how fast my old body can swim.”