Hackett Injury Means 300-meter Clash With Thorpe Is Unlikely -- May 21, 2003

By Stephen J. Thomas

SYDNEY, May 21. DISTANCE ace Grant Hackett said yesterday that it was highly unlikely that he will be swimming at the Grand Prix meet in Cairns, North Queensland after cutting his right hand on glass at the weekend. The 1500 freestyle world record-holder said he had seven stitches inserted in the injured hand which does not allow him to put pressure on the wound.

The meet which commences this Friday was to feature a clash between Ian Thorpe, the 200-400-800 freestyle world record-holder and Hackett over the previously unraced distance of 300 meters. It is expected that the rest of the Australian team will swim at the three day meet in preparation for the World Championships in Barcelona this July.