The family of Olympic champion Grant Hackett fear the swimmer is “dangerous” and are pleading for help to deal with his mental health issues.
Hackett was arrested at his parents’ Gold Coast home today after becoming agitated and verbally abusive.
His father Nev said calling police to help calm his son down was the only option at his disposal.
A dishevelled Hackett was taken to the Southport watch house in handcuffs before being released without charge later this afternoon.
The unshaven 1500m great was captured by news cameras slumped in the back of a police car as he was driven into the watch house before he raised his cuffs and amiably gave a shaka sign.
Hackett’s brother Craig said the family was committed to helping Grant but had run out of answers and were hoping for an accurate medical diagnosis. “This is now a chronic problem and it looks like it’s not going to go away in a hurry,” he said.
“The whole family have been doing all that we can but now it’s kind of out of our hands, it really is. The Grant Hackett that Australia fell in love with, they can still have that affection towards him.
“(But) this is not Grant Hackett. This is a completely different person. I don’t know this person, my mum and dad don’t know this person. He’s there in body, but he’s not there in mind, soul or spirit.
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