In at the deep end – Carlile and Curry comment on the pressures faced by elite athletes

See 7 News

Consider the falls from grace of swimming stars Ian Thorpe, Scott Miller, Geoff Huegill and now Grant Hackett.

Thorpe is in rehab for depression, after reportedly taking antidepressants and painkillers.

Atlanta silver and bronze medallist Scott Mille has outlined his addictions to ecstacy, cocaine and crystal meth.

While Geoff Huegill contemplated suicide after a long battle with depression and drugs.

Hackett’s battle with similar demons is, according to one former swimming star, understandable.

Lisa Curry said: “Being a champion is quite temporary, the next day they’re like everybody else and the way they deal with that, it can be quite difficult being in the so-called celebrity bubble.”