Grant Hackett was allegedly involved in an airplane altercation on his way home from the 2016 Australian National Championships, according to the Sydney Morning Herald and other Australian news sources.
According to a spokesman for the Australian Federal Police, “A 35 year old man was spoken to, however, at this time, no charges have been laid,” after police were requested to meet the flight in Melbourne Sunday morning.
A spokeswoman for Virgin Airways said that, “Out of respect for the privacy of our passengers and cabin crew, it would be inappropriate to proved any further details” of the incident she confirmed happened on a flight from Adelaide to Melbourne.
On the flight home from the meet in which he failed to qualify for his fourth Olympic Games, Seven News reported that Hackett smelled of alcohol and may have gotten sick while on board.
Sydney’s 2GB radio reported more details on the story:
“The passenger reclined his seat apparently. Grant Hackett took exception to the reclining of the seat. There was some sort of altercation. There’s allegations from people on board the flight that Hackett assaulted the man in front of him.”
There are no charges at this time, but an investigation is underway.
Read the full Sydney Morning Herald report here.