Ian Thorpe's press conference has just finished. Great news... The Thorpedo is back.
Here are some of the main points:-
- He will be focusing on the 100m Free to help the relays and will also swim the 200m Free. He will swim individuals in London 2012 if he qualifies.
- He will be spending most of his time training in Abu Dhabi and in Europe to escape the Australian media attention.
- He started training back in September. He has lost 5kg so far and has another 5kg to go before he reaches his ideal weight.
- He has applied to be reinstated on the drug testing list today. He won't be able to compete for 9 months which will give him 5 months to compete before the Australian Olympic Trials.
- Leigh Nugent will act as his 'head coach' although he plans to use a number of international and domestic coaches.
(As he is training to become a sprinter, I would not be surprised if he spent some time in Auburn training under the guidance of his former team mate Brett Hawke.)
How the Australian 4 x 100m Free relay team might look like in 2012
Eamon Sullivan - On his best form he has the potential to win individual gold in 2012. Injury prone.
James Magnussen - 19 year old who burst onto the scene in 2010 with his 48.94 LC. A talent the Australians are expecting big things from.
Kyle Richardson - 23 years old and improving. 15th in the world last year LC. Split 46.07 in Dubai on the 4 x 100m Free. 1/100th slower than Lochte's split.
Ian Thorpe - One of swimming's greatest talents. Renowned for his middle distance, he did win Olympic Bronze in the 100m Free in Athens 2004. Question marks remain, but dropping down in distance will surely help Thorpe get back to the top quicker.
Other contenders - Matt Targett, 25, Tommaso D'Orsagna, 20, Matthew Abood, 24, Cameron Prosser, 25, Kenneth To, 19, Ashley Callus, 31
Great for swimming! But I am quite surprised to see some of the negative reactions to his comeback bid from the Aussie fans (I assume they are Aussies because I saw them on Aussie news outlets), calling it a financially driven media stunt, or 'your time's passed, go away,' and etc.
ReplyDeleteIf the guy wants to come back, he can come back. If he turns out to be not good enough, he won't be put on the team, so what's the big deal, even if it WAS motivated by money.
I think it's exciting for swimming and can't wait to watch 100 and 200 free with him in the mix.
I'm surprised too. I saw an Aussie tweet 'Ian Thorpe has returned to take his title back as 'The Most Unpopular Sports Person for no Official Reason'.
ReplyDeleteThe very first question in the press conference asked him whether this was just doing this for the money. I'm beginning to see why the move to Abu Dhabi makes sense for him.
Looks like you'd better make a new poll for the 200 free, Tom! So what is YOUR prediction on the subject? I'm sticking with Park just because he keeps surprising me every time I count him out, but really, on top of everyone you've mentioned, and now with Thorpedo, the race should be rocking and even more unpredictable.
ReplyDeleteI hope he regains his form and breaks a few records before London. Shouldn't that be something!
Unfortunately Thorpie can't compete at this year's World Champs as he needs to be on the drug testing list for 9 months before he competes. He'll be back racing in time for Aussie trials and London 2012, but not in time to get on the vote.
ReplyDeleteI like your Park prediction, a lot. A lot of people seem to be counting him out already, despite the fact that he was a full half a second clear of the rest of the world last year and is still only 21.
My pick for this year has flipped around a lot already. Phelps on TOP form would be favourite. Lochte is on fire although Park is the quickest guy right now. Sun Yang is progressing at an impressive rate, as is Agnel. Biedermann is a flat out racer. Tough one!
Oops, I got confused for a second and thought that the poll was about London. Sorry about that!
ReplyDeleteYeah, even though I'm picking Park, it's really tough to go against Phelps. Rather, I guess I will pick the podium. Lochte, Phelps, & Park in any order.