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OLYMPIC and world champion Grant Hackett will return to competition next month following shoulder surgery.

Hackett says his comeback is well ahead of schedule and he will compete in the 400m freestyle at a Telstra Grand Prix meeting in Brisbane in three weeks’ time.

“I am just so happy being back and the smile has returned knowing that I’m on the right track,” Hackett said.

“It has been a frustrating few months having to watch from the grandstand during the Commonwealth Games.

“But I’m slowly but surely getting back and it feels great.”

Hackett says he will not set a cracking pace in Brisbane, but will crank it up at the Australian shortcourse championships in August.

“I’m not putting too much pressure on myself ahead of Brisbane,” he said.

Hackett’s return is timely as Australia’s men regroup after copping heavy criticism during the Commonwealth Games.

With Ian Thorpe also back in training and set to compete regularly overseas, the pair’s return is considered vital looking ahead to next year’s world championships in Melbourne.

Meanwhile, Australian head coach Alan Thompson has been given a tour of the Olympic pool to be used in Beijing.

Thompson was allowed to inspect the state-of-the-art aquatics venue in the Olympic city that will be known as the Water Cube.

“The pool itself won’t be finished until October, but basically the walls are made out of a soft plastic and it’s something to behold,” he said.

Thompson was allowed inside the venue, but only after he agreed to attend a lecture and give Chinese officials some insight into Australia’s preparations and training methods.

Thompson said China’s swimmers would be a force in the pool, with their male swimmers on the rise.

“In a country of 1.3 billion people, they have an obvious advantage,” Thompson said.