The last time Grant Hackett swam at a major international competition, he was chasing history, looking to be the first man to win three consecutive individual Olympic gold medals in the same event.
He didn’t achieve that goal, finishing second to Ous Mellouli in the 1500 free at the 2008 Olympics. Hackett retired after that swim, and the world thought the greatest distance swimmer in history would never be seen near a pool deck again.
As we have seen many times in this sport, never say never. After a hiatus of nearly eight years, Hackett is ready to race in international waters thanks to a fourth-place finish in tonight’s 200 freestyle at the Australian nationals. That puts him on the 800 free relay for this summer’s world championships and a chance to increase an already impressive medal haul. Could he make history and join Michael Phelps as the only two to win medals at six world championships? Australia has not won a medal in the 800 free relay at the world championships since 2009, but Hackett’s presence on the team could provide a boost in many ways.
Hackett has won 18 world championship medals, 10 of which are gold. If Australia wins a medal in the 800 free relay in Kazan this summer, Hackett would increase his stature as the most-honored Australian swimmer at the world championships, though far behind the 33 that Phelps has won. Incidentally, three of Hackett’s world championship gold medals came in the 800 free relay in 1998, 2001 and 2003 during Australia’s peak in that event.
Hackett’s first world championships came in 1998 in his home country, where he won two golds and a silver in Perth. The win in the 1500 was the first of four consecutive golds for Hackett in the event, and remains the only man to win four times in one event. Hackett isn’t swimming the 1500 at nationals, so he won’t present us with a sliver of hope that he can extend his world championship streak.
A list of Hackett’s world championships medals:
1998, Perth
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2001, Fukuoka
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2003, Barcelona
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Note: In 2003, Hackett becomes first man to win medals in four freestyle distances at worlds.
2005, Montreal
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2007, Melbourne
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that hair!!!