Cameron Williams: Australia hurts with Hackett

It’s astonishing how many people in the past 24 hours have expressed to me their sadness at the decline of Grant Hackett.

Those images of him: cuffed, barely aware in a police car; of a family forced to make their fear and pain public, of his bruised and swollen face.

They pile up on the scenes we already have seared into our memories; the smashed piano, the weird nearly naked appearance in the Crown Hotel foyer.

These are becoming our picture of the great Grant Hackett, the warrior of the pool.

Since those days when he conquered the world he has been difficult to watch. A disorderly parade of excuses, a much neater string of excuses and apologies.

I don’t know Grant very well. We have shared weeks together at Olympic Games, green rooms at Channel Nine and the odd corporate appearance together.

He has always struck me as being friendly and honest. He’s smart. And ambitious too. A major bank built a whole client portfolio around his personality and stature in Australian society.

I will say I saw signs when we were together that the real world was too tame for him, that the big engine that could not be run down in competition would overheat if he just sat idling.

We’ve seen other sportsmen like that. Ben Cousins for one.

Like I said, we’re not close. But I offered him help. And I know others who did too.

He was always warm in response. Always had it covered. Was always polite in saying “I’m ok.”

But he’s not.

His family is obviously distraught.

And although many, many families suffer these problems, it does seem extra tragic when the fall from grace is so steep.

I hope his close mates stick with him, that the swimming fraternity, which rode on his shoulders for years is still there to offer a hand.

Australia too.