Olympian Grant Hackett has released an emotional statement giving thanks to his family for standing by him through his troubles.
The swimmer, who was arrested last after an altercation with his family at their Mermaid Waters home last week, then went into hiding, released the statement last night, according to multiple reports.
It is the first time the star sportsman has addressed the series of events that culminating in his father issuing a plea for the public to report sightings of his son, after he failed to attend appointments or return phone calls.
“I want to thank my family, in particularly my mum and dad for helping me through the toughest week of my life,” he writes.
“They have been amazing and have now stood by me through thick and think – I can’t say enough about them – I could not wish for better parents.”=
After his arrest and release without charge, Hackett had posted on social media a picture of himself with a black eye, alleging his brother had beaten him. The photograph was not thought to have been taken recently.
But in the statement he released last night, Hackett says he has “reconnected” with his brother Craig, adding that they “love each other very much.” The Courier Mail reported that Hackett yesterday deleted the Instagram post in which he had alleged that his brother “beat the s**t” out of him,
Hackett also praised the “incredible” support he’d received from people in Australia and around the world.
“I wish I could reply to every single message or well wish I’ve had, which is impossible at present, as I’m so grateful for each and every one of them.”
The swimmer acknowledged that he had mental health issues, saying that he was seeking help in Australia and overseas. Hackett has in the past struggled with these issues, as well as substance abuse, and has attended rehab previously.
National attention centred on the Hackett family after last week’s high-profile arrest. The following day, the swimmer’s father Nev told the media that his son had gone missing and urged the public to report any sightings of him. He was reportedly later located at a luxury Gold Coast hotel.