Swimming: Hackett to lead Australian team at Montreal world championships
SYDNEY : Triple Olympic gold medallist and the king of distance freestyle Grant Hackett has been announced as the first captain of Australia’s swim team for this year’s Montreal World Championships.
Hackett, 24, who has been swimming for his country since the 1997 Pan Pacs in Fukuoka, was told of his appointment on Friday by the Swimming Australia board.
“To be named captain of the Australian swimming team is an enormous honour,” Hackett said in a SA statement Sunday.
“Over the past few years we have built this team up to be one of the most admired teams in Australia and to think that I have been asked to lead the team is humbling.
“I look forward to not only helping the younger swimmers but enlisting the help of the other experienced athletes on this team, Michael Klim, Ian Thorpe, Brett Hawke, Brooke Hanson and Giaan Rooney.”
Swimming Australia President Neil Martin said: “Grant is not only a tremendous athlete but he is a tremendous person, a great figurehead for the Australian swimming team and an impeccable role model for young people right around Australia.”
Hackett, along with Thorpe, ranks as one of the best swimmers in contemporary world swimming and is gearing up for his fourth world championship meet in Canada in July.
He has won three gold medals in two Olympics, seven gold medals in three World Championships and five Commonwealth Games gold medals.
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