Hackett keen on endurance race

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Australia’s Olympic and world champion Grant Hackett says he is interested in competing in the 10km open water race at the 2008 Olympics.

Hackett, who won gold in the 1500m at the last two Olympics, wants the race to take place after the pool races are over to give swimmers time to prepare.

“A lot of 1500m swimmers around the world would love to compete in an open water race,” he said.

“I’d love to compete if it is in the second week. It’s another challenge.”

Hackett said he would lobby the International Olympic Committee and swimming’s governing body FINA to delay the event until a convenient time in the Olympic schedule.

“Currently every swimmer has got two events at Olympic level except distance swimmers,” he said.

“Distance swimmers have only one opportunity to compete and show their skills and their hard efforts put in to prepare for endurance races.”