Grant Hackett Quotations

When I was asked who I'd like to nominate, he was the first person who came to mind,

I wouldn't say there's an imbalance. We have to remember that, yes, Ian is a big celebrity and he does get a lot of attention from the press, but he has broken 22 world records, won five Olympic gold medals and as many world championship gold medals. I think any attention he has gotten, he deserves.

I would have been disqualified several times before if it had been enforced like this, definitely.

I have had a shoulder problem since my post-Olympic break in 2004 and I honestly thought it would settle down after my break following the world championships this year,

I did put a little bit of pressure on myself because I wanted to get the team off to a good start so given all the circumstances I was pretty happy with myself and the job I did.

I am looking forward to the challenge of swimming against him.

I am just so happy being back and the smile has returned knowing that I'm on the right track.

I am in two minds about it (the criteria). I think basing selection on world rankings is a bit harsh. I can understand Swimming Australia wants to set the bar fairly high, but I don't think it should be at the expense of a Commonwealth Games medal. I am a fan of choosing the team based on Commonwealth rankings.

I am sure he is at home feeling motivated by watching this and wanting to step up again, ... I am looking forward to the challenge of swimming against him.

I am sure he is at home feeling motivated by watching this, and wanting to step up again,

I didn't have a clue he was there. I actually got a shock when I turned around and saw, ... I didn't even realize he was so far ahead.

He seems to be focusing on the sprint area and I will have to be right on my game in the 200m. Certainly my 400 has big chunks of improvement to go and I want to see that as early as next year.

It is flawed slightly and needs some tweaking so if someone is injured or sick, they still have a chance of staking a claim. Generally, I've never had problems with our criteria as it's cut-throat and you must perform on the day. But there should be something discretionary to allow athletes, in special circumstances, the chance to be in the program.

I work very hard and pick the tough events or rather they pick me more so, and it is nice to come away and be appreciated.

My body felt extremely tired, ... I've got five or six gears in me, but I was crunching to get into second without a clutch. It was a tough day.

Yeah certainly getting swimmer of the meet and all that sort of stuff, and you still have the (Michael) Phelps's, the (Michael) Crockers and (Aaron) Peirsols, and all those great competitors and it is just honour to have something like that,

We understand the stage we're in and some people just don't understand we're a small country. We don't have the college system that the US has got. They have so many swimmers but I don't think the low will stay for too long.

I've been with him since I was six. For him to have trained me as a junior and taken me through my career and to gold medals has been amazing,

Coaches like Denis are certainly the unsung heroes in modern sport and that's what carrying the baton is all about, recognising people who play such a valuable role.

It was feeling a bit tough out there tonight. A tough swim. It has been a big programme, and I'm happy with the results I got.

It was a shame that Ian and Michael weren't there in the final but I really wasn't thinking about that too much,

It just didn't feel good or quite right, it did not feel like I got on my stroke,

It's very hard to sacrifice a meet, especially when it's in your own country and I love competing in the Commonwealth Games,

I can definitely take more off my world record - a lot more. I have no doubt about that. I'm by no means putting pressure on myself, it's just the belief I have in myself......I'm not going to limit myself by nominating times or anything like that. I never thought I'd do 14:34 and I did. I thought I'd maybe do 14:38 or 14:39 that day, and I went nearly five seconds quicker so I don't want to limit the possibilities

If it can't be detected in blood or urine, we have to think of other avenues to catch people. If it means searching for it at customs, we should do that.

If he swims around the times he's been doing for the last couple of seasons, I think he will be pretty well unbeatable,

If I let it drag on it could get worse and worse and it could eventually become a major problem.

The injury is still very much at a minor stage and it should be fixed up quickly. I will be back in the water in no time but unfortunately I am going to have to miss the Commonwealth Games.