'He’s a danger to community': Grant Hackett's family fear for troubled Olympian
The family of troubled Olympian Grant Hackett says he’s a danger to himself and the community at times, and they fear for his wellbeing.
The 36-year-old Australian champion’s father was forced to call police to their Gold Coast home on Wednesday, after Hackett became “abusive” and “aggressive”.
“This is not Grant Hackett,” brother Craig said.
“This is a completely different person.
“I don’t know this person, my mum and dad don’t know this person.”
Hackett was taken to the Southport watchhouse in handcuffs, but later released without charge.
Witnesses claimed that Hackett was "going off" and stabbing a knife into a chopping block before he was arrested outside the Mermaid Waters home.
“He’s dangerous, at times he is dangerous,” Hackett’s brother Craig said.
“He’s a danger to himself, he’s a danger to the community, and poor mum and dad who’ve tried to look after him so much.”
Hackett came out of retirement leading up to the 2016 Rio Olympics but failed to qualify for the games.
Hackett’s father Nev said his son was rambling on before he was forced to call police to the property.
“When I say aggressive, (it was) verbally, and (he) didn’t make any sense,” Hackett’s father Nev said.
“It became obvious something was wrong.
“It is alcohol and I suspect, perhaps from time to time, it could be prescription drugs.”
Earlier on Wednesday, Nev Hackett told the Gold Coast Bulletin Grant had a “medical problem” which “manifested itself”.
“He’s been receiving treatment from a doctor. He’s big and powerful when he’s not happy,” Nev Hackett told the Gold Coast Bulletin.
“We decided he needed some treatment but there was no way he was going to go and get treatment this morning so we called the police.
“It’s what I’d call a bit of a breakdown.”
Hackett's fall from grace
Since his retirement from professional swimming in 2008, Hackett's turbulent personal life has been the subject of much scrutiny.
In 2011, he upended a grand piano as he trashed the luxury penthouse he shared with his then-wife Candice Alley.
The couple separated the following year following a drunken night out after the Logies, which resulted in a bitter custody battle over their two children.
In 2014, Hackett's mental health again came into question when he appeared half-naked and searching for his son at the Crown Casino in Melbourne.
The 36-year-old was back in the headlines in April 2016 after he was involved in a mid-flight drunken incident.
The former 1500-metre gold medallist was filmed yelling abuse at a fellow passenger on a flight from Adelaide, where the Olympic trials were held, before grabbing the man on the chest in an incident now dubbed 'nipple gate'.
The flight crew had to restrain the swimming champion and called ahead to Federal Police to meet them at the gate in Melbourne.
“I seriously and genuinely regret my poor behaviour," the swimmer said at the time, admitting that he would undergo anger management counselling.
"I have stuffed up more than once and am working on these issues. It is embarrassing to hear and read the consequences of my actions."
If you or someone you know is struggling mentally contact Lifeline for support on 131114.
