Hackett may seek 10km spot in Beijing

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Grant Hackett is well known as the force that cannot be beaten over 1,500 metres but now he threatens to extend his kingdom and reign to include the inaugural 10km open-water title in Beijing.

He has started his campaign by asking the International Olympic Committee to schedule the new 10km in the second week of the Beijing Games.

“I would love to compete in the 10km if it is in the second week,” he said. “It is certainly just another challenge to add to my programme. This would not only interest me but a lot of 1500m swimmers around the world would love to compete in an open-water race. It would be in the best interest for the IOC and Fina to put the race in the second week and allow endurance swimmers of the pool to have an opportunity to compete.”

However, Hackett will not race the 10km or even prepare for it to the detriment of his pool events. “I would not do anything to sacrifice my 1500m, 400m, 200m or the 4×200m relay races or any pool events for that matter. I would just keep my focus on the 1500m and hope that is enough to cover the distance that is required to be at the fast end of the pace. You never know what could happen we are talking about a race in three years.”