Seven-time Olympic medalist Grant Hackett finished fourth in the 400m freestyle, missing in his first attempt to make the Australian Olympic team at age 35 and after a six-year retirement.
Mack Horton and David McKeon finished first and second to make the Australian team for Rio, while Hackett was 3.75 seconds back of second-place McKeon for the final Olympic spot. Full results are here.
Hackett was also fourth in the morning preliminary heats, going 1.09 seconds faster than he did in Thursday night’s final.
“I’m an underdog for this race, but it pans out well for the 200m,” Hackett, whose recent training was curtailed by illness, said after the morning heats, according to Australian media.
Hackett’s better chance at making the Australian Olympic team will come in the 200m freestyle, as he can earn a place in Rio with a top-six finish there for relay purposes.
The 200m free preliminary heats and semifinals are Friday, and the final is Saturday in Adelaide.
Hackett made Australia’s team for the 2015 World Championships solely on the 4x200m free relay by finishing fourth in the 200m free at last April’s Australian Championships.
Before 2015, Hackett last raced internationally at the Beijing 2008 Olympics, where he earned silver in the 1500m free and bronze as part of the 4x200m free relay.
