Hackett has will to climb Everest

original link

GRANT Hackett’s ailing body will be given a three-month rest before Queensland’s distance swimming icon sizes up an Olympic three-peat that is “beyond Everest”.

The chest infection which Hackett so bravely defied to win Olympic gold in his pet 1500m freestyle in Athens was still afflicting him when he arrived home yesterday.

Visiting his thoracic specialist on the Gold Coast, returning to full health and a taste of life on land will be his priority during his longest break from the pool in eight years.

“Grant is absolutely wiped out. He needs two to three months out of the water to get his health right,” coach Denis Cotterell insisted at Brisbane Airport yesterday.

“Through both his Olympic experiences he’s been ill so the emotions have ranged through harrowing to memorable and courageous to dramatic.

“I’m proud, Australia’s proud of what he did in Athens. He was barely able to drag his own legs on to that starting block to celebrate after his race so much did he put in.

“The thing is he still has the hunger to go again for Beijing.”

No male swimmer in the 108-year history of the modern Olympics has won gold medals in the same event at three successive Olympics, which is now the tantalising target for Beijing in 2008.

“It’s an athlete’s Everest. In light of how many people climb Everest these days, it’s beyond Everest because no male swimmer has ever done it,” Cotterell said.

Even allowing for a draining 40-hour flight from Athens and a week of partying, the broad-shouldered Hackett was clearly struggling for breath at Brisbane Airport.

“My chest infection is no better yet. There hasn’t been time to recover with a busy second week of commitments, partying, of course, and travel,” Hackett said with a smile.

“Once I get four weeks to myself without doing anything, find a secluded place for a few books and DVDs, I’ll be able to regenerate 100 per cent mentally and physically,” he said.

“The body can get back to full health for next season, no worries.”

Hackett hasn’t put a dent in “his” 1500m world record since 2001 but his hunger to lower the mark of 14min34.56 sec below 14:30 is still powerful within.