Who is Grant Hackett

Australia has been very successful in the 1500m freestyle at the Olympic Games with previous champions and world record holders including Frank Beaurepaire, Andrew Boy Charlton, Murray Rose, John Konrads, Bob Windle, Steve Holland, Glen Housman, Kieren Perkins and Daniel Kowalski. But it is Grant Hackett who is the greatest swimmer the world has known over this distance, holding the world record for the fastest ever 1500m freestyle.

In November 2007 Grant was diagnosed with exercise-induced asthma and he has had a history of respiratory problems. Like many athletes, doctors said that Grant's problems had gone undiagnosed over recent years because it was difficult to tell his breathing was affected due to his large lung capacity. Grant competed at 2004 Olympic Games in Athens with a partially deflated lung. Grant did not tell the medical team in case they would not allow him to compete. While at the Olympics in Athens Grant said he was battling a bronchial infection and only after the event revealed the real problem. There was fluid on the lining of his lungs and he had lost up to 25 per cent of his lung capacity during his races. In one of the most amazing swims ever, Grant led all the way, from lane 8, to win his second Olympic gold medal.

Hackett is the fourth swimmer in 108 years to win two 1500m gold medals at the Olympics - behind America's Mike Burton, Russia's Vladimir Salnikov and Kieren Perkins. Hackett was unbeaten over the distance for 10 years from 1997 to 2007, and was the first swimmer to win the same event at four World championships.

Hackett, who won the 1500m freestyle at the 2000 and 2004 Olympic Games, won the silver medal in the 1500m freestyle at the 2008 Beijing Olympics.