Former Australian swimming great Hackett in rehab

When do these young men get started on the drugs? During training obviously, but with no control apart from a strict schedule of training. How sad. I hope he can get clean and get happy.

I think it's more likely that after retiring they lose the strict training schedule controlling their life and they replace that with another addiction - alcohol, drugs, gambling, eating etc. Long distance swimming training is a lonely place and the dedication needed to reach the highest level is immense. Whilst some athletes no doubt 'get started on the drugs' during training, I don't believe that Hackett and Thorpe would have.

Hope the media can leave him alone long enough to get the help he needs. That said, he also needs to admit he has problems, first.

And the doctors who were over prescribing these meds are where doing what?