Grant Hackett in love! e!
She’s become the swimming legend’s greatest supporter as he goes through rehab in the US
Troubled Olympian Grant Hackett has been leaning on a beautiful young American swim star as he battles his drug and alcohol issues in the US.
Four-time Olympic gold medallist Allison Schmitt, 26, who has battled her own personal demons, says the Aussie champion has a “special place in my heart”.
Speaking exclusively to Woman’s Day Allison refused to confirm if they are yet an item, saying only, “I have loads of respect for him. I know he has a great future ahead.”
Grant – who describes the champion freestyler as a “great supporter” – met her while he was managing his own rehab from Michael Phelps’ estate in Arizona, where Allison lives.
They spent Grant’s 37th birthday together in New York on May 9, shortly before stepping out together at a black tie charity event in the Big Apple.
Grant has now been in the US for nearly three months, where he has undergone his own customised version of rehab following a public meltdown on the Gold Coast in February. Soon after a violent episode at his parents’ home – and his subsequent arrest – he headed to the US to escape the public attention and seek help.
The first hint of his relationship with Allison appeared on social media when he posted a picture of the two of them hanging out with Michael, his wife Nicole and their baby, Boomer. He captioned it: “My US family… spent an amazing couple of weeks with these special people. Can’t thank them enough for their support and enduring friendship.”
With a history of romance gone wrong, Grant last week was coy about his new relationship. “I’m not interested in dating anyone at all… for a long time,” he said.
But Grant describes Schmitty, as he affectionately calls her, as an “incredibly great person with a big heart” and his mates in the US think the two of them are perfectly matched. “Their relationship just goes from strength to strength,” says one mate, adding it’s only a matter of time until they make it official.
‘Schmitty is an incredibly great person with a big heart’