Grant Hackett
Grant Hackett is an Australian former competitive swimmer who won Olympic gold in the 1,500-metre freestyle in 2000 and 2004.
2000 Summer Olympics: The Summer Olympic Games held in Sydney, Australia, from 15 September to 1 October 2000. Hackett won the 1,500-metre freestyle at his home Olympics.
Freestyle swimming: A swimming competition category in which swimmers may use any stroke, though front crawl is standard. Hackett's Olympic distance titles came in this event category.
Dennis Cotterell: An Australian swimming coach known for coaching elite distance swimmers, including Grant Hackett. Cotterell coached Hackett through much of his international career.
Swimming at the Summer Olympics: The programme of pool and open-water swimming competitions at the Summer Olympic Games. Hackett's career is best known for its Olympic distance-racing achievements.
2004 Summer Olympics: The Summer Olympic Games held in Athens, Greece, from 13 to 29 August 2004. Hackett defended his 1,500-metre freestyle title in Athens.
Front crawl: The fastest common swimming stroke, using alternating arm strokes and a flutter kick. Hackett used front crawl in his freestyle races.
Kieren Perkins: An Australian distance swimmer who won consecutive Olympic 1,500-metre freestyle titles in 1992 and 1996. Perkins's Olympic streak preceded Hackett's and established Australia's distance-swimming standard.
World Aquatics: The international governing body for aquatic sports, formerly known as FINA. Its recognized records and championships frame Hackett's international achievements.
2008 Summer Olympics: The Summer Olympic Games held in Beijing, China, from 8 to 24 August 2008. Hackett finished second in the 1,500 metres, narrowly missing a third consecutive gold.
Swimming pacing: The distribution of effort and speed across a swimming race. A 1,500-metre race demands sustainable speed over thirty lengths.