Grant Hackett says he is not trying to sweep anything under the carpet after postponing a press conference over an altercation with a fellow passenger on a flight, citing illness as the reason for the delay.
Hackett on Friday said he would remain in hospital over the weekend after being diagnosed with a severe throat infection following the incident on a Sunday flight from Adelaide to Melbourne.
The dual Olympic champion had hoped to speak to the media this week about the incident in which he allegedly groped a male passenger.
But Hackett said he had postponed it until next week due to the illness which forced him to be admitted to hospital on Wednesday.
"I will be spending at least the next few nights in hospital as I am treated for a severe infection and a case of uvulitis," Hackett said in a statement.
"I did say I would talk to the media by the end of the week to discuss the events that have transpired.
"I remain committed to that. I don't want to sweep anything under the carpet."
The passenger on the Sunday flight said Hackett reached through the gap between seats, grabbed his chest and tweaked his nipple in what he described as a "sexual assault".
Collingwood AFL chief executive Gary Pert, who sat across the aisle from Hackett on the flight, said the swimmer wasn't aggressive but appeared to be affected by alcohol to the point of being "incapacitated".
The incident was reportedly sparked by the passenger in front of Hackett reclining his seat.
"I continue to apologise to anybody that my behaviour has impacted," Hackett said in Friday's statement.
"That will need to be next week now.
"I apologise again for the inconvenience and appreciate your patience."
The three-time Olympic gold medallist had previously found himself under scrutiny after he trashed the Melbourne apartment he shared with his former wife Candice Alley in 2011.
Three years later he went to a US rehabilitation centre for treatment for sleeping pill addiction after he was photographed partially dressed searching for his young son at a hotel.
© AAP 2024
