Skip to main content
Start of main content.

Bond at the Olympics: Grant Hackett

Grant Hackett – Swimming – 2000, 2004, 2008 

Grant Hackett

MBA 

Bond University’s Olympic alumni do not come bigger than Grant Hackett.

Considered one of the world’s greatest freestyle swimmers, the born-and-bred Gold Coaster is a three-time Olympian, multiple gold medal winner and was undefeated in the fabled 1500m from 1997 to 2006.

Hackett claimed his first Olympic gold at the 2000 Sydney Games when he overcame a virus and backing up from earlier events to take down crowd favourite Kieren Perkins. Four years later in Athens, he successfully defended his crown despite having a partially collapsed lung. He then came agonisingly close to securing a hat-trick when he finished second in the 1500m at the Beijing Games.

Along with collecting gold in the 4x200m freestyle relay at the Sydney Games, he set multiple world records including in the 800m and 1500m freestyle events.

The unrelenting drive Hackett had in the pool was also on show at Bond University where he graduated with Bachelors of Commerce/Law and Financial Services before undertaking an Executive MBA that has proved invaluable in his successful corporate career.

“I have always had a deep passion for running businesses and teams,” he says. “Throughout both my sporting and business career, I have always derived satisfaction out of achieving difficult and challenging goals.

“The underlying principles and behaviours of success in any field, whether it be sport or business, are exactly the same.”

More from Bond

  • Bull Sharks fall short against the Cougars

    The Bull Sharks went head-to-head with the Brisbane North Cougars for the second time this season on Sunday afternoon at Nissan Arena.

    Read article
  • Bonding voices to strike the right chord

    Highly-esteemed violinist Maggie Blades is on a mission to bring together the voices of staff and students.

    Read article
  • Bond at the Olympics: Jon Sieben

    In the countdown to Paris we will celebrate Bond's proud Olympic history. In the latest edition we profile Los Angeles gold medalist Jon Sieben.

    Read article
  • Sport House rules

    How the camaraderie of the Bond Sport House helps these student-athletes achieve their goals.

    Read article
  • Bond swimmers set to take on the world at Paris Games

    Meet the fantastic five who will represent Bond University in the Paris pool.

    Read article
Previous Next