An Australian Olympic swimming champion has admitted that he was so committed to his training program during his career that he turned down multiple opportunities to meet the late Queen Elizabeth.

Speaking on 2DAY FM’s Hughesy, Ed & Erin show, Grant Hackett was reflecting on his own career in light of the Paris Olympics and the commitment required to reach the Olympic podium.

The seven-time Olympic medalist admitted that he still regrets not meeting the Queen in person.

“There’s a lot of distractions that do come in, and you’ve got to be disciplined. As soon as you get sidetracked … I got asked to meet the Queen twice! I didn’t do either of them, because I had to fly to meet her,” he said.

“One of them was the preparation for the Olympics, and I said no. I kinda regret it now.”

While Hackett missed out on an opportunity to meet the Queen, one athlete who didn’t pass up the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity was Dylan Alcott. 

Months prior to the Queen’s death, Alcott was one of the few Australians who spoke to Her Majesty, having had the opportunity to meet the late Monarch via a video call ahead of her Platinum Jubliee Celebrations.

Alcott shared that his brief chat with the Queen was “very special” for him and his family.

During the call, the Queen showed off her cheeky sense of humour and remarked on how “splendid” it was to be able to chat with the recipients despite the vast distance.

Recalling the video chat on The Morning Show, Alcott dished on the momentous visit with the 96-year-old Monarch.

“She was lovely,” he said.

“I threw a couple of jokes out there, they landed!

“I think the headline over in the UK was ‘Australian Of The Year makes the Queen laugh’, so that was cool.

“The Palace said afterwards that it was one of the best chats she’s had in a few years.”