MELBOURNE, March 29 (Xinhua) -- Australian head coach Alan Thompson said here on Thursday that he believed Grant Hackett was going to step out of the downturn and continue to chase his dreams at the 2008 Olympics.

    There were rumors around the World Championships that Hackett might withdraw from his dominating event, the men's 1,500 meters freestyle due to disappointing performances in the past days.

    Thompson had to blow down the rumors first in the press conference held in Thursday's afternoon.

    "He (Hackett) is doing the 1500m on Saturday. He's a little disappointed after the swim last night, that's fairly obvious. But he'll be out there doing his best in the heats on Saturday."

    The 26-year-old Hackett failed to twice defend his title in the men's 800 meters freestyle on Wednesday, only taking a seventh place in the field of eight finalists.

    Besides, the host's sensation suffered a lot in the opening day competition last Sunday, as South Korean star Park Tae Hwan and Tunisian Qussama Mellouli both finished the 400 meters freestyle final ahead of the defending champion.

    Even though, Thompson didn't believe the giant swimmer had ever thought about quitting his pet event.

    "Hackett and I had never discussed pulling out the 1,500 meters freestyle.

    "Once Grant gets married and gets a bit more normality in his life he can start preparing for the Beijing Olympic Games."

    Having decided to marry Candice Alley after the World Championships, Hackett moved from the Gold Coast to Melbourne where his singer girlfriend lives and joined a new coach Ian Pope just ahead of the magnificent competition.

    "I think he's had a lot of changes and disruptions, in life and training at the moment. It's had a greater affect on his performance than even he thought it would," said Thompson.

    But Thompson totally trusted Hackett.

    "We all know he's a man who's going to stand up and be counted. He's got his goals and dreams and will be chasing them over the next 18 months. He knows what he needs to do to get into the Olympic Games and he'll do that.

    "I think he's a great Australian who deserves support from all of us whatever the outcome of Saturday morning."

    As long as Hackett takes part in the longest distance race in the pool, he still holds the chance to claim the fifth consecutive world champion in the event.