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Hackett questioned by police after flight drama

Hackett celebrates after winning gold in the 1500m freestyle at the Athens 2004 Olympics. Photo: Getty

Hackett celebrates after winning gold in the 1500m freestyle at the Athens 2004 Olympics. Photo: Getty

Just days after failing to qualify for the 2016 Olympics, Grant Hackett has risked criminal charges and the loss of a lucrative TV contract with alleged drunken behaviour on a flight from Adelaide to Melbourne.

The swimmer was released without charge after questioning by federal police at Melbourne airport on Sunday morning, but an investigation is ongoing. Charges could be brought at a later date.

“The Australian Federal Police can confirm it was requested to attend an arrival gate at Melbourne airport earlier today,” the AFP confirmed in a statement.

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“A 35-year-old man was spoken to however at this time no charges have been laid. Enquiries in relation to this matter are continuing.”

Channel 7 News reported Hackett was visibly drunk when boarding the early-morning flight and needed assistance doing up his seatbelt. He allegedly became angry when the passenger in front of him reclined his seat. He then got into an argument and grabbed the man on the chest.

Hackett reportedly had to be restrained by staff following the scuffle.

A photo aired by Channel 7 News showed Hackett slumped over in a seat whilst AFP officers spoke nearby at Melbourne Airport.

grant hackket

Hackett allegedly slumped in a chair at Melbourne Airport. Photo: Seven News / Twitter

On Monday morning, Collingwood Football Club’s chief executive Gary Pert told 3AW Fairfax Radio that Hackett was “clearly incapacitated” on the flight in which he was also on.

Pert said he was sitting across the aisle from Hackett on the flight and witnessed the incident. He said Hackett was unhappy about a passenger lowering their seat, but said there was “no assault or major altercation”.

“I would assume he would be the first one to say he’d had too much to drink,” he said.

“He was on the plane in a state where, really, he wasn’t even able to stay awake for the flight.

“I don’t really know Grant all that well, but he certainly wasn’t on the plane to cause trouble or going out of his way to be aggressive or upset any passengers — quite the opposite.

“He didn’t like the seat going back, he tapped the person in front of him … he wasn’t happy, then Grant sat back and went to sleep.”

On Sunday night, Virgin Australia confirmed an incident occurred on the flight but gave no further details.

Hackett recently signed a contract with Channel 7 to report from Brazil during this year’s Olympics. This contract could be reviewed in light of the incident.

While Hackett said before his return that the Rio 2016 bid wasn’t a planned comeback (he only began swimming again for fitness), his surprise at how well he was performing raised his own expectations.

“I am back in love with what I am doing,” the former two-time 1500m freestyle Olympic champ said.

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Hackett celebrates after winning gold in the 1500m freestyle at the Athens 2004 Olympics. Photo: Getty

“For me at this age it is a personal challenge – how much more I can get out of myself?

“Me being an old man with a walking stick, to make this team would be one of the biggest achievements of my career including all the medals and world records.

“There’s a reason no male swimmer has gone to four Olympics before, it’s really challenging.”

Speaking after Hackett failed to qualify for Rio 2016, Australian swimming head coach Jacco Verhaeren said Hackett would still be an important member of the squad.

“He is the same legend he ever was,” Verhaeren said.

“Moving forward, we will use him as mentor – he can’t get rid of us.”

The Olympic champion also said would help the 34-strong Rio swimming squad which was named last Thursday night.

“I will support these guys on any level,” Hackett said. “The best way to support them is personally, having a chat with them, just give them a different perspective.

“If I can provide that to any of those guys I will in any capacity they want me to.”

The alleged incident was not Hackett’s first run-in with the law.

In October 2011 police were called to attend a dispute at his Melbourne apartment.

The apartment was reportedly found trashed after an argument between Hackett and his then-wife Candice Alley.

In 2014 Hackett revealed he had travelled to the United States for treatment for an addiction to sleeping pills.

He had also been in negotiations to join Channel 7’s Olympics call team.

– with AAP

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