"I have never
felt this relaxed heading into a major meet. I am happy, healthy and fit.
I just can't wait to get out there and race."
Grant Hackett in the lead up to the Olympics.
"I don't mind
wearing the underdog tag but, after all, I am Australian too. We are all competing
under the one flag."
Grant on the Australian public's favoritism towards Kieren Perkins.
"I bawled my
eyes out after the 4 X 200 meters. I'm not afraid to admit it. I really needed
to let my emotions out. My stroke was terrible. I was definitely trying too
hard. I wanted to win too badly."
Grant after winning the 1500m freestyle talking of his form in the previous
week.
"All week all
I could do was just focus on myself. This was my event. I knew I could do
it, I just had to lift myself. I wasn't really sure how I was going to swim.
It's the first time I have gone into a race where I haven't been expected
to win."
Grant after winning the 1500m freestyle talking of the doubt cast upon him
by the media.
"It wasn't destructive
anger, it was driving anger."
Grant talking of his emotions after being criticized in the media in the upcoming
week to the 1500m.
"This is everything
I have ever worked for. Everything I have done I have done for this day and
now I am so happy."
Grant after winning the 1500m freestyle.