Australian Swimmer Grant Hackett Retires From Competition

by Jon Azpiri | October 27, 2008 at 10:07 am

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Australian swimmer Grant Hackett announced his retirement from competitive swimming at a banquet in Sydney. Hackett's stellar career saw him win gold medals in the 1500m at both the 2000 and 2004 Summer Olympics. Earlier this year, Hackett won a silver in 1500m, losing to Tunisia's Oussama Mellouli. The 28-year-old Aussie still holds world records in the 1500m and 800m freestyle events.

Hackett appears to have a rosy future ahead of him. He is working as a television broadcaster and is said to be considering a career in politics.

"Certainly, I don't have any qualms about saying I'd love to get into the top echelon of politics because it gives you the opportunity to contribute at the highest level and have the greatest impact,'' Hackett said.

"I'm a very passionate person and I'm ambitious.

"Being a minister - of course I'd love an opportunity to do something like that and have the ability and talent and skills to be able to contribute at that level. It's a long-term thing.''

Both Labor and Liberal MPs have articulated an interest in having Hackett as a candidate.
But the Melbourne-based swimmer has not yet decided which party he will join.