Hackett Having a Rough Go in Brisbane

BRISBANE, Australia, December 5. WHAT remains for Grant Hackett at the Australian World Championship Trials is in doubt. Hampered by left-shoulder problems and mentally exhausted, Hackett pulled out of the 200 freestyle final and how he will perform in the 800 and 1,500 free events during the remainder of the week is uncertain.

Hackett's coach, Denis Cotterell, made the 200 free withdrawal announcement after Hackett completed his swim in the preliminaries of the 800 free. By discarding the 200 free from his program, Hackett was better preparing himself for his efforts in the longer races. Hackett had surgery on his right shoulder last year, so the fact that his left shoulder is acting up is not a good sign.

"What we are in now is damage control I would say — just trying to minimize any further deterioration through racing," Cotterell told the Gold Coast Bulletin. "We are hoping the 1,500 and 800 output is more manageable than say the 200, so we will eliminate the 200 tonight."

Should Hackett find himself unable to race the 800 or 1,500 free events, he's still likely to be added to the Aussie World Champs roster in both disciplines. With Craig Stevens the only man other than Hackett who seems to have a chance at matching the qualifying standards for the World Champs, Australia would have the luxury of appointing Hackett to swim the events.

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