At the 2004 Summer Olympics in Athens, Hell qualified for the men's 400 m freestyle by finishing first ahead of his teammate Christian Hein from the Olympic trials, in an A-standard entry time of 3:51.48.
At the 2004 Summer Olympics in Athens, Hell shortened his program, swimming only in the 400 m freestyle. He finished first ahead of his teammate Christian Hein from the Olympic trials, in a FINA A-standard of 3:51.48.