Retired swimmer Grant Hackett has been admitted to hospital on the Gold Coast with a throat condition, days after being questioned by police over a clash with an airline passenger on a flight.

Swimming Australia confirmed on Thursday that Hackett had admitted himself to Pindarra Hospital in Benowa on the Gold Coast.

• Grant Hackett told to get professional help
• Hackett questioned by police after flight drama

Hackett had been suffering from uvulitis, a condition that involves severe swelling to the uvula at the back of the throat.

On Tuesday, Hackett issued an apology for his clash with a passenger in front of him who had reclined his seat, saying he “seriously and genuinely” regretted his “poor behaviour.”

Hackett was met by Australian Federal Police at the arrivals gate at Melbourne Airport following the incident, but although he was questioned, no charges have been laid.

Following the incident, Australia’s Olympic chef de mission, Kitty Chiller, said Swimming Australia would make a decision on whether or not Hackett was used as a mentor for the swim team at the Rio De Janeiro Games.

“We don’t even know all the facts of this case yet so we’d need to wait and see what Swimming Australia decided and then we’d consider that, consider it if that was the case,” Chiller said this week.