Grant Hackett isn't messing around at the Australian Olympic trials, which got underway at the Sydney Olympic Park Aquatic Centre: heats of the 400m 3:46.35, and then a final in 3:43.15. That compares to his personal best time of 3:42.51, set at the 2001 World Championships in Fukuoka.

Of all the three men who could become the first of their gender to join Fraser and Egerszegi in the triple crown club, Hackett looks the strongest contender. Behind him in the 400m final was Craig Stevens, who will get an Olympic 400m freestyle swim at last, four years after giving up his place for Ian Thorpe, who flopped in at the start of the 400m heats at trials in 2004.