Grant Hackett hangs up his goggles

Olympic gold medallist Stephanie Rice named Australian Swimmer of the Year

SYDNEY: Stephanie Rice, who won three gold medals at the Beijing Olympics in world record time, has been named Australia’s Swimmer of the Year.

Rice won the 200 and 400 meter individual medleys in Beijing and also teamed with Kylie Palmer, Bronte Barratt and Linda MacKenzie to break a world mark in the 4x200 freestyle relay. Michael Bohl, who trains Rice, was named coach of the year at the national swimming awards ceremony.

Meanwhile, champion Australian swimmer Grant Hackett announced his retirement from the sport at Swimming Australia’s swimmer of the year awards. Hackett, 28, a respected role model in swimming, became emotional when the entire crowd at the function gave him a sustained standing ovation. He told his teammates in the audience to enjoy their time in the sport as it came to an end so quickly.

“I have been doing this for a long time and just make the most of every opportunity because you will get to this point and it is now all just a memory for me,” he said. Hackett had already declared this year’s Beijing Games would be his last Olympics after his heartbreaking loss of a third consecutive 1500 metres freestyle crown by less
than a second.