OLYMPIC 1500m freestyle champion Grant Hackett has told of the agonising moment when he split from his coach of 20 years, Dennis Cotterell.
Hackett revealed that his brave decision to end one of swimming’s most successful partnerships was the most difficult of his career.
“My loyalty to my coach is the toughest thing I’ve had to sever out of all this,'’ Hackett said.
“For a single decision in my career, this has been by far the toughest.'’
DENIS Cotterell’s phone rang. Grant Hackett was on the line, sweating bullets, nervous as never before, sheepishly asking Cotterell if he could go around to his Gold Coast home because they needed to have a talk. A serious talk. Within an hour, one of the greatest coach-pupil relationships in world sport would be over.
Hackett knocked on the door of the man who had been by his side for 21 years. Their relationship went beyond the pool. They were mates, but more than mates. You don’t spend that long with someone and go through so many highs and lows without forming a bond that is the closest thing you can get to family without the blood lines and occasional bickering.
DENIS Cotterell’s phone rang. Grant Hackett was on the line, nervous as never before, sheepishly asking Cotterell if he could go around to his Gold Coast home because they needed to have a talk. A serious talk. Within an hour, one of the greatest coach-pupil relationships in world sport would be over.
Hackett knocked on the door of the man who had been by his side for 21 years. Their relationship went beyond the pool. They were mates, but more than mates. You don’t spend that long with someone and go through so many highs and lows without forming a bond that is the closest thing you can get to family without the blood lines and occasional bickering.
GRANT Hackett has done plenty of difficult things in his life – swimming the fastest 1500m freestyle in history among them – but it is doubtful he has ever done anything as hard as he did last Thursday.
That was the day he told his coach of 21 years, Denis Cotterell, that he was leaving him to link with Ian Pope in Melbourne – and then broke the news to his squad mates at Miami pool.
AUSTRALIAN team captain Grant Hackett has taken the gamble of splitting with childhood mentor Denis Cotterell before next year’s Beijing Olympics.
The two-times Olympic gold medallist is aiming to become the first swimmer to win three consecutive 1500metres freestyle crowns at the Beijing Games.
After the world championships next month, Hackett will leave the Gold Coast to live permanently in Melbourne with his partner Candice Alley, who he will marry there in April.
Australian team captain Grant Hackett has taken the gamble of splitting with childhood mentor Denis Cotterell in the lead up to next year’s Beijing Olympics.The two-time Olympic gold medallist is aiming to become the first swimmer to win three straight 1500m freestyle crowns at the Beijing Games.
Australian team captain Grant Hackett has taken the gamble of splitting with childhood mentor Denis Cotterell in the lead up to next year’s Beijing Olympics.
The two-time Olympic gold medallist is aiming to become the first swimmer to win three straight 1500m freestyle crowns at the Beijing Games.
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