Former Olympic swimming champion Grant Hackett has been arrested on the Gold Coast after a “disturbance” at his parents’ house on the Gold Coast.
Hackett’s father Nev has said his son has been arrested due to “mental health issues”, but did not make any further comment.
Channel Seven, which has filmed a handcuffed Hackett being driven away in a police car, tweeted that witnesses are claiming Hackett was “‘going off’ and stabbing a knife into a chopping block.”
No other details have been made available, and it is believed that Hackett has not been charged.
Hackett has had a troubled history since retiring from the pool in 2008 following a tremendously successful career.
The three-time Olympic gold medallist issued a public apology in April of last year after a fellow traveller alleged he had been groped on the chest by Hackett during a Melbourne-bound flight after his failed attempt at qualifying for Australia’s swimming squad for the 2016 Rio Olympics.
Hackett also sought rehabilitation for a sleeping pill addiction in 2014, and in 2011 was in the headlines after trashing his Melbourne apartment during an argument which saw police called to the premises.
UPDATE: Hackett has been released from Southport police station. He has not been charged with any offence.
His brother, Craig, who himself was an outstanding junior swimmer, has told the media his family have reached the end of the line with Grant and done everything they can for him.
“He needs professional help,” said Craig. “This is not Grant Hackett. We have done everything we can for him.”
Readers seeking support and information about mental health issues and suicide prevention can contact Lifeline on 13 11 14.
northerner
Guest
Until he genuinely accepts that he's got problems, nothing will really change. He has to see his behaviour for what it is, and get into rehab and/or therapy as an actual exercise in self-help instead of as an escape from publicity.
Paul D
Roar Guru
Every family reaches the end of the road at some point. Hackett's family has just reached theirs. I hope he finds a reason to keep going. He needs to see his kids in supervised visits, and be reminded of the people who are waiting for him. The only way to move past this sort of behaviour is to put your own desires aside and live for other people.
chump
Guest
I watched an old video with Gus in it a while ago. I think his loss of cognitive ability over the past 10 years is greater than my grandfather's, and he's in a home now. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jwaOULF3QNA
Face the facts
Guest
No doubt this guy is in need of treatment, treatment for "celebrity deprivation". He has been a house of cards for many years. His recent return to swimming was a strategic ploy to get a TV gig, that failed miserably. Stop talking about him and he can go away and live happily ever after, the more the media talks the more you feed his ego. 10 years down the track he will be vacuuming the local swimming pool, wearing a very old Olympic tracksuit.
Smithy
Guest
Why isn't he in the NRL telecast team this year? He'd fit in like a treat