Grant Hackett retires

Dual Olympic swimming champion Grant Hackett announced his retirement Monday after almost a decade of dominance in the 1,500 meters.

Hackett, 28, retires with the 1,500-meter record of 14 minutes, 34.56 seconds that he set at the 2001 world championships at Fukuoka, Japan. He also holds the world record in the 800 and held the world mark for the 200 freestyle in 1999 until it was overhauled by fellow Australian Ian Thorpe. The normally composed Hackett was emotional as he told the audience of his decision. They gave him a standing ovation.

"I wasn't expecting that," he said.

SYDNEY, AP