Family member sought court order against Olympic swim legend Grant Hackett

SWIM legend Grant Hackett has made contact with both police and his family and is reportedly safe and sober.

Former Australian Olympic swimmer Grant Hackett leaves Southport watchhouse after being arrested at his parent’s home. Photo: Jerad Williams

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SWIM legend Grant Hackett has made contact with both police and his family and is reportedly safe and sober.

Grant Hackett posts a photo of himself on Instagram with a black eye. Photo: Instagram

Hackett, who has reportedly battled mental demons for several years which finally caused a split with his close-knit Gold Coast family, was reported missing earlier today.

Earlier today a flustered Neville Hackett said he had no idea where to find his son Grant after police arrested the Olympian at the family’s Mermaid home yesterday.

It emerged earlier this morning that a family member had sought a court order against the Olympic gold medallist following an incident last month. Friends say the altercation resulted in Hackett seeking treatment for a facial injury.

Susie O’Brien: Hackett’s arrest must be final straw

Grant Hackett’s battle with mental demons is once again in the public spotlight. Photo: Jerad Williams

Hackett took to social media this morning to make an unsubstantiated allegation he was hit by a family member.

The post came with an image of Hackett’s swollen and bloody right eye.

The court order, which expires in January 2019, requires Hackett to be of “good behaviour”.

Former Australian Olympic swimmer Grant Hackett leaving Southport Watchhouse. Picture: Jerad Williams

Neville Hackett and son Craig front the media: “We’re pleading for people to help us — help Grant. Grant needs help.” Photo: David Clark

His desperate parents were yesterday forced to call police to their Mermaid Waters home after he allegedly “flew into an uncontrollable rage”.

Eight officers attended the property and arrested Hackett. He was later released without charge, telling reporters he would seek rehabilitation.

“I probably need to,” he said.

The incident follows weeks of concerns from family and friends about Hackett’s deteriorating mental state, with a relationship breakup among several personal issues.

“He’s a danger to himself, he’s a danger to the community,” brother Craig said.

“This is not Grant Hackett. This is a completely different person. I don’t know who this person is. My mum and dad don’t know this person.

“He’s there in person but he’s not there in mind, soul or spirit … we know people struggle to get mental health treatment these days (and) we’re no different to anyone else. We’re struggling to get that help.

“We’re pleading for people to help us — help Grant. Grant needs help.”

Father Nev Hackett, who was home with his wife when their son “broke down”, told the Bulletin the 36-year-old had been drinking heavily.

Grant Hackett leaves Southport watchhouse. Photo: Jerad Williams

Craig Hackett, brother of Grant Hackett, speaks outside their father's Mermaid Waters home after the 36-year-old champion swimmer was arrested.

“He was raving and ranting a bit,” he said. “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 so we called the police.

“No one was touched. No property was damaged … he didn’t even make any threats but was not what you say is a normal person.”

Hackett, who represented Australia at three Olympics, has struggled in his personal life since retiring in 2008 and attempting a comeback before last year’s Rio Games.

In April last year, he apologised after being accused of “forcefully” groping a passenger and “tweaking” his nipple on an interstate flight after a dispute over a seat being reclined too far.

In 2011 he trashed the Melbourne apartment he shared with then wife Candice Alley and in 2014 was seen wandering semi-naked through Melbourne’s Crown Casino while searching for his son in the early hours of the morning.

That year he checked into a US rehab facility to treat his addiction to the powerful sleeping pill Stilnox.

“He does have days when he’s fantastic but unfortunately it’s becoming that those days are few and far between,” brother Craig said.

“To see someone who was, I guess, so dominant and had the world at his feet to now — really, we don’t know what’s going to happen.

“It’s not encouraging but who knows? If he gets the right kind of treatment … maybe he might be able to claw himself out of it.”

Former Olympic swimmer and friend Andrew Baildon said the Gold Coast swimming community was “right behind” Hackett.

“Grant obviously has some demons to deal with and we hope he can get himself right,” he said.

“I feel for him because I know what it’s like to retire as an elite sportsman and try to make that transition into everyday life. It’s an extremely difficult thing to do.’’

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