Grant Hackett Hospitalized with Pneumonia

BISBANE, Qld., February 6. AUSSIE world record-holder Grant Hackett will receive weekly health checks leading up to next month's Olympic trials after spending two days in hospital last week with acute pneumonia, according to a story in The Australian and other major Australian newspapers.

Hackett, the three-time 1500m world champion who has not been beaten over the distance since 1997, battled a 104-degree temperature and headaches after being floored by a secondary infection from a sinus condition.

"It was worrying to be honest," Hackett said. "I have not felt that ill in some time."

Hackett said he would continue to consult his physician on a weekly basis before the Olympic trials and would also continue to receive regular health checks before the Athens Olympics in August.

He said his lung function and respiratory system would be monitored to ensure he did not become as "depleted" as he did last week.

Renowned for his training work ethic, Hackett said he had ignored warning signs that his health was waning before being admitted to hospital.

"I was training for a week or two with an illness (sinus) but I ignored it trying to prepare as much as I could because leading up to the Olympics you cannot stop at anything," Hackett said. "But I ended up with a secondary infection.

"But sometimes things are a blessing in disguise," added Hackett, relieved this illness had not occurred closer to the Athens Olympics.

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