Training changes dampen Hackett hopes
Tuesday, March 6, 2007
AUSTRALIAN distance champion Grant Hackett said a late change of training base has affected his chances at the world championships starting in Melbourne, Australia later this month.
The 26-year-old, the most decorated swimmer in world championship history, swapped his Gold Coast training camp for Melbourne
He also ended a 21-year relationship with coach Dennis Cotterell in favour of new mentor Ian Pope last month.
However Hackett, a double Olympic 1500 metres freestyle champion, said the switch may adversely affect his efforts during the upcoming FINA championships starting March 17 to April 1.
"I was a little bit naive making that big a transition and thinking it wouldn't affect my performance as much as it has," he told reporters yesterday at an interview.
"In some respects it has worked against me.
"I'm not writing my performance off by any means, I still know I'm swimming very well," he added.
"I've produced a lot of good times and good sets in training but don't think I've got the absolute most out of myself for these championships."
Hackett said he made the move to be with his fiancee after their wedding in April.
He considered Melbourne and coach Pope a better combination to help his long-term aim of success at the 2008 Olympics in Beijing.
"I am putting things in place for the bigger picture and that's always been my focus.
"That is Beijing and to swim the fastest I've ever swam there, no question about that," said Hackett, the winner of 17 world championship medals.
"It's going to enable my life to be easier and more set up for the bigger picture," he continued saying.
Reuters
The 26-year-old, the most decorated swimmer in world championship history, swapped his Gold Coast training camp for Melbourne
He also ended a 21-year relationship with coach Dennis Cotterell in favour of new mentor Ian Pope last month.
However Hackett, a double Olympic 1500 metres freestyle champion, said the switch may adversely affect his efforts during the upcoming FINA championships starting March 17 to April 1.
"I was a little bit naive making that big a transition and thinking it wouldn't affect my performance as much as it has," he told reporters yesterday at an interview.
"In some respects it has worked against me.
"I'm not writing my performance off by any means, I still know I'm swimming very well," he added.
"I've produced a lot of good times and good sets in training but don't think I've got the absolute most out of myself for these championships."
Hackett said he made the move to be with his fiancee after their wedding in April.
He considered Melbourne and coach Pope a better combination to help his long-term aim of success at the 2008 Olympics in Beijing.
"I am putting things in place for the bigger picture and that's always been my focus.
"That is Beijing and to swim the fastest I've ever swam there, no question about that," said Hackett, the winner of 17 world championship medals.
"It's going to enable my life to be easier and more set up for the bigger picture," he continued saying.
Reuters
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