News Digest

Aussie swimmer Hackett sorry for ‘tweaking male passenger’s nipple on plane’

Australian long distance swimming great Grant Hackett has apologised for an altercation with a passenger on a flight to Melbourne after being questioned by police. Hackett, who won back-to-back Olympic 1,500 metres freestyle titles at the 2000 Sydney Games and four years later in Athens, was reported to have pinched a male passenger’s nipple after he reclined his seat in front of the swimmer. The 35-year-old, who this month failed to qualify for the August 5-21 Rio de Janeiro Games, was helped off the plane by another passenger and questioned by police at Melbourne airport.

I seriously and genuinely regret my poor behaviour. I have stuffed up more than once and am working on these issues. I apologise unreservedly to the gentleman on the flight. I am trying to make direct contact with him personally.

Grant Hackett

Sydney’s Daily Telegraph newspaper quoted the unnamed passenger’s version of events. "As I reclined my chair, he (Hackett) grabbed it and yanked it back,“ the man told the paper. "Then he put his hand through and groped my chest and tweaked my nipple quite forcefully. Mr Hackett then stroked my arm and said; 'It’s OK, it’s all right.' I felt unsafe and violated." Governing body Swimming Australia said it was "extremely disappointed” to hear of the reports but said they would support Hackett, who head coach Jacco Verhaeren said he wanted in Rio as a mentor to the team. Hackett has previously struggled with drug and alcohol problems, and admitted he became dependent on a sleep medication.