‘Mental breakdown’: Australian Olympic swimming gold medallist Grant Hackett arrested
Troubled distance ace reported to be held after disturbance at family home
Australian long-distance swimming great Grant Hackett was arrested and detained by police in the Gold Coast on Wednesday after a “breakdown” at his parents’ home, media reported.
The troubled triple Olympic champion’s father told the Gold Coast Bulletin newspaper he had called the police so his 36-year-old son could be given help.
“Grant’s got a medical problem and it manifested itself here this morning ... he was raving and ranting a bit,” Neville Hackett said. “He’s been receiving treatment from a doctor. He’s big and powerful when he’s not happy. 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.
“The only way the police can do anything under the law of the land is to arrest him for domestic violence.”
Neville Hackett said the swimmer had not made any threats but was not “what you say is a normal person”.
Local broadcaster Channel Seven posted video footage of Hackett being driven to a local police station in handcuffs.