IAN Thorpe’s comeback to Olympic swimming could be as disastrous as the former champion’s illegal flop into the pool at the 2004 Olympic trials. Thorpe’s freakish ability to carve up the pool and wipe out his opponents has been proven time and time again. But his powers to overcome hurdles to make it back on the Olympic dais are weakening, year by year.
Thorpe will make the Australian Olympic team. He is such a perfectionist that he will make it happen. But whether he wins an individual medal – or a world record for that matter – is now a topic of great debate. It’s been almost 10 years since Thorpie smashed a world record – Manchester’s 2002 Commonwealth Games in the 400m freestyle. His world records were broken over a period of five years – when his body was still growing. In 2002, Thorpe was just 19. He never broke a world record after Manchester.
After Thorpe stopped growing, we never saw the form he produced as a teenager. Here are 10 reasons why Thorpie won’t set the world on fire in London 2012.
1. Thorpe has a history of glandular fever
Thorpe pulled out of the 2006 Commonwealth Games, citing a mysterious illness. It’s no mystery what glandular fever does to your body. Those athletes who’ve had an acute case never return to their previous levels of fitness and their feeling in the water is often disrupted.
2. He stopped breaking world records when his body fully matured
As Thorpie smashed a string of world records, he appeared invincible. All the time, Thorpie’s body became taller and more powerful. But as soon as he hit manhood, the records stopped – just like that.
3. His body mass causes frontal resistance
Thorpie is a naturally heavy athlete who has never appeared ripped. Extra body tissue is an inhibitor in water (more body mass hits the water front on) and it will slow you down.
4. He’s lost flexibility and agility with age
Thorpie is a big guy and he has a lot of catching up to do (piles of dynamic land training) if he wants to regain his agility.
5. The big black suit is gone
Thorpie will never wear the big black suit again. As the full suit has been banned, it’s going to take some pretty amazing efforts to see some world records tumble in London. Some of Thorpie’s biggest moments happened while he wore that intimidating, cat-like suit.
6. He’s training in another country without support of family and friends
Thorpie’s home-cooked dinners, thanks to his mum, are a thing of the past. It won’t be easy for Thorpe training in another country. It will test his comfort zone.
7. He is lacking in racing fitness
Thorpe needs some hard racing before the Olympic trials next year. He cannot race until November, when he clocks up nine months on the international drug-testing register. His training will need plenty of dive starts if he is to simulate race conditions.
8. Switzerland/Europe isn’t the place to train
Thorpie wants to train away from the public eye and media. He wants to reach peak fitness under a strict regimen. The problem is Thorpie’s crucial months will be spent in the harsh European winter (unless he moves back home).
9. He’s reportedly training under a coach who peaked more than a decade ago
Former AIS head coach Gennadi Touretski was recruited to Canberra to lift the Aussies. He was an important part of Australia’s golden era. After being sacked in Australia, Touretski is now past his peak. And while he is astute and innovative, the former Russian coach’s best days are behind him.
10. He’ll find it tough to match the hungry young guys coming through
There is always someone younger, fresher and hungrier that wants a taste of the glory. While Thorpe is a special athlete, he doesn’t have the vibrancy of youth on his side.
Thorpie faces an uphill battle if he wants an Olympic medal. I don’t think he can win individually in London, but like any Aussie, I’d love him to prove me wrong.
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