The Australian swimming great Grant Hackett has gone to the United States to undergo treatment for an addiction to a sleeping medication.
Hackett, who won 1,500 metres freestyle gold at the 2000 and 2004 Olympics, was found shirtless and disoriented at Melbourne's Crown Casino early on Saturday morning.
He publicly admitted to the dependency in the leadup to the 2012 London Games, prompting the Australian Olympic Committee to ban athletes from using the sleeping medication.
Hackett's flight follows the troubles of another Australian swimming great Ian Thorpe, who checked into a health clinic earlier this month to seek treatment for depression.
The five-time Olympic champion, widely regarded Australia's finest swimmer, had been taking anti-depressants and medication for a shoulder injury.
