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Thorpie, please don’t squander your legacy

Tory Maguire

by Tory Maguire

19 Mar 05:55am

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Filed under: Ian Thorpe, Retirement, Sport, Swimming

81 comments

Is it a demonstration of what’s great about the Aussie spirit to keep doing something even after you find out for sure 20 people younger than you are better at it, and your Olympic hopes are dashed?

This is not the way we want to remember him in the pool. Picture: Gregg Porteous

Ian Thorpe’s disappointing weekend in the pool, and what he said once he got out of the pool, has got me stumped. They guy is a great champion, and not just that, he seems like an incredibly decent person too.

He should be remembered not just for his incredible feats in competitive swimming, but for the way he behaved while he was under the white-hot glare of Australian expectations for all those years. You can’t fake good character for that long when you’re that young.

The goodwill buffer Thorpe built up with the Australian people over five Olympic gold medals, a slew of records, meaningful charity work and years of resisting any urge to turn into an arrogant little prat, is deep and cushiony.

When he called a press conference in February last year there was a lot of excited expectation about his comeback.

The press conference itself was a bit weird. Hosted by an airline, it came across as more of an infomercial than a sporting news event.

But news Thorpe was going to have a crack at London 2012 got a generally warm reception.

He said at the time if he didn’t think he was in good form he wouldn’t compete, so expectations this weekend in Adelaide were probably artificially inflated.

No one would have begrudged Thorpe having a go. If anyone deserved the chance to see what they could do at the ripe old age of 29 it was him.

And his legacy, as strong as it is, will not be permantly damaged by the fact he just didn’t pull it off.

But here’s where it gets murky.

After swimming the 21st fastest time in the 100 metre freestyle heats Thorpe said:

I hadn’t thought about it very much ... but I think now I’ll probably take a few days off and enjoy the competition and then sit down with a few people, Leigh Nugent and my coach Gennadi (Touretski) and work out what is next, work out what the next preparation will be and what competition will be next.

I’m still swimming. When I started this I wanted to get back in the pool, I wanted to race and I wanted to go to the Olympics. I still want to do all of those things. I’ve missed out on a huge goal ... but the desire is still there.

Perhaps when you’re competing at that level you genuinely cannot countenance failure, and Thorpe really hadn’t thought about what he would do next in the event of his comeback being a washout.

But seriously, if it didn’t work at 29, no amount of Swimming Australia’s money and Thorpe’s hard work is going to make it happen at 33 for the 2016 Rio games, no matter what head coach Leigh Nugent might say.

How many other young swimmers will have to join the group of 20 who are already faster than the man they no-doubt look up to before we stop throwing cash and hopes at him?

Thorpe’s talents, I’m sure, extend beyond rolling arm over arm up a lane. It would be a great shame to see him squander his special place in Australian sporting history and miss what could be the most productive years of his life.

Most commented

81 comments

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    • SteveKAG says:

      06:12am | 19/03/12

      Not worried about the throwing cash at him, he is good for generating interest in a sport that seems a little starved of genuine household name stars.  You may say that if Thorpe was not stealing the limelight, others would have a chance to shine but i don’t think so, there are no genuine names in the squad right now, hopefully after London that all changes. 

      In the mean time we can enjoy a good Aussie hero having a red hot go.  I am sure deep down he knows he is not going to be able beat any 20 year old at 33 but he is doing himself and his sport justice.  Leave him be

      Reply

    • jec says:

      08:33am | 19/03/12

      You say there are no “genuine names” in the squad right now but there are ... they are the competitors who have qualified to make the team, who have all swum faster and better than those who failed in their endeavours, including Ian Thorpe.  They are as genuine as they come, who have put in the hard yards to get to the top of their field and qualify to compete for Australia in the Olympic Games.  Perhaps the reason we do not know their names is due to the media, not to the competitors themselves, because the reports concentrate on a handful of swimmers, either those making a “comeback” (Thorpe, Heugill, Trickett) or those who have been around for a while (Rice, Jones).  I look forward to hearing and seeing the genuine names compete in the Olympics and hopefully, one day, they will become household names as well.

    • TommyP says:

      08:46am | 19/03/12

      I agree to some extent.  Sure, use him as an ‘advertisment’.  But, not to the tune of 9 times more $ than those who WILL be fighting for a medal.  The swimmers on the Olympic Team on average get $15K per year.  They train in Australia.  Thorpe was given $100K, for a COMEBACK, and the opportunity to have a 2yr holiday in Europe??????  This is what has most people irked.  You want a comeback - do it on your OWN back.  You have earned MILLIONS from your sport, and not given a SINGLE cent back to the taxpayers who funded your dream.  And now we are foreced to do it again, only this time, as a hope?????

    • AdamC says:

      08:48am | 19/03/12

      Good call, SteveKAG. I can’t help but note that a lot of the big names in swimming (whether or not they are still the top performers in the pool) are the same people who dazzled at the Sydney games over ten years ago. Certainly, in terms of media profile, a new generation of stars is yet to materialise.

      If I were Thorpe, I would quietly pack it in. Having said that, he is allowed to do whatever he wants with his time. If he wants to keep chasing the dream, why not let him?

    • TommyP says:

      09:03am | 19/03/12

      @jec —-  SPOT ON!

    • Arnold Layne says:

      09:16am | 19/03/12

      No genuine names in the squad??!!  James Magnussen anyone?  He is a genuine superstar of the sport and very good in front of the camera.

    • Allan says:

      10:10am | 19/03/12

      Actually to tell you the truth, even though I didnt quite think Thorpe was up to it, I tuned to just watch.  For a guy that gave so much to the sport, I am willing to forgive him even if he wants to compete until he is 50.  Unlike some of the new stars (Rice, Darcy et al), Thorpe is gracious in losing as he is winning - for crying out loud, the amount of people that tuned in at my local just to see him race - this guy generates more interest in the sport in losing than the others do when dominating.

    • Rose says:

      11:18am | 19/03/12

      Allan’s right, many of the newer names don’t fill us with pride or make us proud, simply because they come across as absolute tossers. Gone are the days of Thorpe, Klim, Curry-Kenny, Perkins etc who made you want to jump out of your chair to cheer them on. Rice, Darcy, even Magnusson (who managed to alienate most of SA). There will be swimmers that come out of this Olympics that do become national favourites, but as yet, they haven’t really emerged.

    • HereComesDaJudge says:

      11:44am | 19/03/12

      29 ya dope - not 33!!

      And he came back for the money Mate! He blew all his hard earned cash (and it was!) on stupid building development projects plus trying to promote his own brand of men’s cosmetics (taht failed) and is now on hard times. Not starving but badly in need of some extra cash! Like the idiot Swimming Association that paid him $150,000 to appear when all the top commentators knew he was a lost cause!

    • steveKAG says:

      08:42pm | 19/03/12

      @ Arnold - James who?

      @ Here comes da Judge - read the story ya dope i was quoting directly from it!

    • Against the Man says:

      06:16am | 19/03/12

      Thorpe was doing his best and he sets a good example. He is just sitting back on his millions, he is continuing to challenge himself. Legacies of shame have been reserved for Rudd and Gillard bad examples for all Australians.

      Reply

    • Bangor12 says:

      08:10am | 19/03/12

      Support Thorpie, don’t support crooked politicians!

    • Damo says:

      08:42am | 19/03/12

      I have awarded you first prize for “commitment to trashing Rudd and Gillard in comments sections of completely unrelated articles.” It was a close race but it was well deserved. Congratulations.

    • TommyP says:

      09:06am | 19/03/12

      Against the man, or, Against a Brain?????    You are a tool.  I bet you are Hockey, or maybe, Pyne, in disguise!!!!!    Right wing dope!

    • Karen O says:

      10:27am | 19/03/12

      All the ALP fanboys seem to be taking it so hard. Hey guys if your heros Gillard and KRudd actually did a good job there would be no fuel for ATM to continue such comments! Are you guys so high on the glue to not figure that out?

    • TommyP says:

      11:56am | 19/03/12

      @Karen O —-  You appear to be just as stupid as the other tool.  Go call Alan Jones, or write to Andrew the Blot if you want a rant on Gillard and the Gov.  This is an article on Thorpe, and, SPORT!  Absolutely nothing to do with politics.  Or, are you right wing fruitcakes so hi on ego, that you are to dumb to realise that???

    • Against the Man says:

      01:42pm | 19/03/12

      Tommy, calling people names doesn’t prove your point but it tells us that like Gillard poor upbringing has consequences.

      I win again.

    • TommyP says:

      02:18pm | 19/03/12

      Yes ATM, you win again.  After all, your kind were born to always win, and to rule over the likes of us.  If it weren’t for your kind, us poor simpletons would not have enjoyed Apartheid, the Nazis, etc

    • John Taylor says:

      03:04pm | 19/03/12

      Tommy P you need to seek some help and soon!

    • Ben says:

      03:58pm | 19/03/12

      Conversely right-wingers could argue that if not for the lefties there would not have been the campaigns of mass genocide (on a much grander scale than anything even Hitler ever managed) that countries like Russia, North Korea and China perpetrated against their own people.

    • Dolt says:

      04:42pm | 19/03/12

      Ben, North Korea exceeding Hitler on the death count, you have to be a tool. But you’re right, no rightie has ever hurt a fly or lifted a finger in malice and Hilter wasn’t all that bad at all, just a bit misunderstood and has had his reputation damagaed by the ‘leftists’. Hitler didn’t go after his ‘own people’ either, just everybody, that’s so much better.

    • SD says:

      04:51pm | 19/03/12

      Karen O says:the other maggot, I’m pretty sure you would DESPISE Labor no matter what job they did. Liberals are just f(((ed. Labor made Thorpe swim slow too. To the knockers, its’ ALWAYS political for these know it all, born to rule dickheads.

    • ALP toxic as ever says:

      04:53pm | 19/03/12

      tommy p you do the same thing as acotrel and tchong and nossy, you represent the ALP cause with insults rather than ideas.

    • ago says:

      06:29am | 19/03/12

      Dont worry Thorpie, I too know what it feels like to fail. The poor mortals welcome you.

      Reply

    • dexxter says:

      06:44am | 19/03/12

      Agree Tory. His managers and family need to counsel him that it is sometimes better to move on when you are on top rather than having to move on as a result of being toppled. Keep your dignity and achievements in tact and look to new areas of challenge rather than trying to reclaim the glory of past achievements. You are in danger of becoming a Jana and turning public sentiment agasint you if not.

      Reply

    • Mar of Brisbane says:

      10:16am | 19/03/12

      He has kept his dignity and his achievements are there for all to see. What he is doing is challenging himself to see whether he can still compete, and that goal will continue from here. Only cynics who are too scared to have a go in their own lives are having issues with Thorpe right now, it makes them uncomfortable that there are people out there who don’t give up when things aren’t spoon fed to them.

    • Allan Partridge says:

      06:45am | 19/03/12

      Obviously Thorpe has got nothing better to do in his life.  What about a reality cooking show with Ian as host focusing on home made food available at our suburban swimming centers?
      Or a remake of beach watch with Ian starring as the Hoff’s previously unknown love child who wants to follow in his Dads steps.
      Or a gossip show hosted by Ian focusing on the steamy underbelly of swimmIng to Chlorine Babylon?

      Reply

    • Troy Flynn says:

      12:40pm | 19/03/12

      Please….as if we don’t have enough garbage masquerading as entertainment on TV.

    • Scott says:

      06:49am | 19/03/12

      That’s daft. Have you considered giving away your journalism gig just because there are some others who are currently producing better articles?
      Thorpe can do whatever he wants and doesn’t need permission from Australia before he does it. Whether we throw money at him while he tries is another matter entirely…

      Reply

    • Me says:

      07:35am | 19/03/12

      Spot on @Scott.

    • Marty says:

      08:12am | 19/03/12

      I was going to write a response but you beat me to it, Scott. Perfectly said. Same with Lleyton Hewitt. Why should he give it away if he wants to keep going? The only thing Thorpe/Hewitt are hurting is their legacy and I don’t think they give a rat’s about that. Swimming and tennis are individual sports

    • marley says:

      08:48am | 19/03/12

      Well, I agree that Thorpe doesn’t have to answer to anyone but himself;  however, as a fan and admirer, I do wish he’d hang up the goggles.  He’s chasing the past - at his age, he should be looking to the future.  He’s got the brains and will to achieve in other areas, and he shouldn’t feel he can only be successful in the pool.

    • Michael says:

      10:22am | 19/03/12

      @ Marty: I agree, except for this ‘legacy’ thing.  People don’t think less of Pete Sampras or Keiron Perkins because they faded towards the end.  They’re remembered as champions because of what they achieved, and their refusal to give up.  Thorpe’s legacy won’t be hurt at all.

    • Rose says:

      11:12am | 19/03/12

      Marley, are you sure he’s chasing the past? Maybe he’s living for the present, after a break he’s decided he enjoys competitive swimming and he misses it, so he wants to give it another go. I haven’t heard him express any notions that he believes he can get his glory days back. It seems he is doing exactly what he feels like, just because he can!
      Anything he does now will not negate his past brilliance, he will always be one of Australia’s greatest sporting champions and, quite frankly, if you don’t approve of him swimming again, don’t watch. It’s his life, he’s free to spend it how he chooses (within legal bounds of course!)

    • marley says:

      01:38pm | 19/03/12

      @Rose - hell, I don’t know Thorpe so I don’t know any more than anyone else does what is going on in his mind.  I do know that, whatever he chooses to do, he will always be counted as one of the greatest.  But I also know that swimming, unlike some sports, is really for the young, and the chances that he’ll not only recapture his past form but improve on it, aren’t good.

      I’d personally like to see him turn all that ambition and focus to something new and different. That’s all I’m saying.  And I’m not judging him, whatever his decision might be.

    • gobsmack says:

      06:52am | 19/03/12

      The fate of many sports stars is that they reach the peak of their fame and earning capacity before they turn 30.  This is particularly so in swimming which, more than most, is a young person’s sport.

      It must be difficult to leave that behind and face the prospect of going through the remainder of their life in which they aren’t going to do anything really special.

      Reply

    • cheap white trash says:

      07:03am | 19/03/12

      Sorry a champion has got to no when his time is up,and sorry buddy but its your time,we want to remember you as the greatest aussie swimmer not some washed up over 30 guy trying to relive his glory days,it happens to the best of us,but that is life,go to your next stage of life,and enjoy.

      Reply

    • Rosie says:

      07:12am | 19/03/12

      I think it was such a shame when all that money and time could’ve been spent on young up coming talents.

      My last image of one of Australian’s top swimmers was seeing him at the royal wedding. I thought to myself, Thorpie got an invite because he was famous for his swimming, he deserved to be there and what an addition to his great success. That wonderful image has now become a disappointment because his come back was a big failure.

      Reply

    • Rock & Hard Place says:

      12:13pm | 19/03/12

      You are a dope.  2 points.
      1 - the money wasn’t wasted - tuned a whole heap of people into the swimming that may not have bothered and that means increased advertising revenue via Channel 10 etc, giving more money to spend on young talents.
      2 Thorpie didn’t get an invite to the wedding because he was famous for swimming. He got an invite because he and Wills shared an interest in charity works and they bonded over this common interest.
      And even if it was true, how weird are you that just because he tried and didn’t succeed at this swimming meet that it has spoiled your enjoyment of seeing him at a wedding last year!!!!

    • Pavlo says:

      07:22am | 19/03/12

      I think people are grossly underestimating this man’s capabilities. If anyone can make a successful comeback to swimming it’s Thorpie. Let’s face it. In the pool… he’s a freak. But it’s plainly (and painfully) obvious he didn’t allow himself enough prep time. I don’t think it’s the last we’ll hear of him.

      Reply

    • Jim says:

      07:37am | 19/03/12

      Fair dinkum, those in the media must be made of teflon. Either that or they collectively have no memory or sense of decency.

      Thorpe was just a kid when Swimming Australia figured he was worth sinking millions of tax payer dollars into his development. He was also just a kid when the hounds in the media started the constant harassment - about his percieved sexuality (who cares!), his performance, even innuendo about the size of his feet! He was 15 FFS!

      Australia, through the media, built up an expectation that he would never fail. But as the rest of the pack started to catch him, and the inevitable media-bashing happened (maybe Thorpe should have a beer or three with Hewitt), he walked away from the sport while in his prime.

      The media ripped his heart out, and at that level of sport if your heart’s not in it you may as well go home.

      Now, with another slug of tax payers dollars thrown at him, and a failed comeback behind him, the very same pack of mongrels that hide behind a press card are oozing sympathy?!

      Those in the media need to band together and make an apology to Thorpe for all the harassment, snide innuendo, and for living vicariously through his success when it suited them.

      (And no, I’m not a Thorpe fanboy, I just think he needed a bit less attention when he was a teenager so he could grow up properly)

      Reply

    • Dick Dawson says:

      07:44am | 19/03/12

      Thorpy you were a legend when you were in your prime, be happy with what you have achieved. The time has come to bow out gracefuly.You dont want to be remembered as an athlete who didnt know when to quit.

      Reply

    • Mark of Brisbane says:

      10:12am | 19/03/12

      He won’t be remembered like that. He will be remembered as one of the greatest ever who decided to make the most of his life and take another shot. The cynics will chip away at anyone who has a go, ‘doers’ like Thorpe make them feels uncomfortable about their own inadequacies.

    • Ohcomeon says:

      07:50am | 19/03/12

      Swimming is a very dull sport to watch. Let’s face it, if we werent good at it, no one would be watching it for it’s visual spectacle or deep tactics.

      I think this is why people get so passionate about it when one of our stars fail, the dream evaporates and we are left with the thought of wasting two hours watching some vague shapes splashing up and down.

      Reply

    • iansand says:

      08:35am | 19/03/12

      There is the hope that, towards the end of the 1500 metres, someone will forget their tumble turn and smash into the wall.  Apart from that, grass drying.

    • Agent 86 says:

      07:54am | 19/03/12

      All you knockers oughta be ashamed of yourselves, particularly the ones that would be the first to jump on the support band wagon if he had have made the Olympics! Give the guy a break, he was simply underprepared and should have been better advised by his coaches.

      Having said that, I agree with Pavlo that if anyone is capable, Ian Thorpe has a better chance than anyone of a successful comeback. He received poor advice from people suggesting he was set to make millions because of his name and he went into shock early retirement. Now that advice has proven to be wrong, he is trying a comeback to do the things he now wishes he had tried earlier.

      Good on ya Thorpe, I’m still behind ya mate!

      Reply

    • Cam says:

      11:41am | 19/03/12

      Can’t stand Thorpe and his fellow parasites. And NO I don’t jump on the support band wagon because I never watch swimming and definitely NEVER watch the Games, either Olympic or Commonwealth! Would rather watch my ingrown toenail grow and fester.

      If only all the small sporting clubs around this country who provide activities for many kids could receive just one small part of what this one individual got from taxpayers.

    • Chedder007 says:

      08:37am | 19/03/12

      I am sorry Tory, but your inference that Thorpie should simply rest on his laurels and never try again is more likely a reflection of your own ability to deal with disappointment and the potential for failure. I think Thorpie is more of a champion for having a go and not making the cut than any olympic medal performance - at least he had the guts to face his demons - and very publicly..He should get the civilian equivalent of the Victoria Cross for placing himself on the alter of tall poppies…..

      Reply

    • Boris says:

      02:06pm | 19/03/12

      Chedder you are kidding yourself. “face his demons” and receive the “civilian equivalent of the Victoria Cross”?

      LOL!  For what…swimming? LOL! And what are his “demons” you speak of?

      Fair enough he’s a good bloke, champion swimmer and does some good charity work, but for christs sake he’s just a swimmer! This is a man who’s been brought up on tax payers money so he can win some gold medals for a bunch of patriotic clowns who like watching swimming of all sports.

      There are thousands of people who deserve “civilian VC’s” before this guy.

    • Don says:

      08:38am | 19/03/12

      What are you talking about? Have a go Thorpie! As the poet wrote:

      Do not go gentle into that good night,
      Old age should burn and rage at close of day;
      Rage, rage against the dying of the light.
      Though wise men at their end know dark is right,
      Because their words had forked no lightning they
      Do not go gentle into that good night.

      Good men, the last wave by, crying how bright
      Their frail deeds might have danced in a green bay,
      Rage, rage against the dying of the light.

      Wild men who caught and sang the sun in flight,
      And learn, too late, they grieved it on its way,
      Do not go gentle into that good night.

      Grave men, near death, who see with blinding sight
      Blind eyes could blaze like meteors and be gay,
      Rage, rage against the dying of the light.

      And you, my father, there on the sad height,
      Curse, bless me now with your fierce tears, I pray.
      Do not go gentle into that good night.
      Rage, rage against the dying of the light.

      Reply

    • iansand says:

      08:42am | 19/03/12

      If the bloke gets his jollies swimming up and down a pool for hours every day, let him.  If that means he can compete at elite level, fine.  If he can still give some of the whippersnappers a run for their money, excellent.  If he departs from competition in the heats and wants to keep going that is his choice, and no one else’s.

      He has demonstarted that he does not deserve any more subsidies to do it, but everything else is his business.

      Reply

    • Nathan Explosion says:

      08:46am | 19/03/12

      It’s a shame his comeback didn’t go the way he wanted it to.

      He seems like a genuinely nice bloke, and a much better role model for kids than some boofhead footy player.

      Reply

    • Em says:

      09:03am | 19/03/12

      nicely put pavlo, couldnt agree more.

      Reply

    • Mark of Brisbane says:

      09:04am | 19/03/12

      Tory, your argument is not supported by facts. You and your other armchair critics take swipes at Thorpe and talk about him tarnishing his legacy, but history proves the public remember champions for their best years. Michael Jordan came back and played for the lowly Washington Wizards for two years ... but he is remembered as the greatest ever. Ali lost his last fights, but he is remembered as the greatest. The examples go on and on, and it doesn’t matter how Thorpe does, he will be remembered for his best efforts. He will also be remembered as a guy who gave it a go despite the cynics like yourself throwing darts from the safety of your laptop, and there are people who will always respect him for that.

      Reply

    • rene says:

      09:44am | 19/03/12

      Well said, he is without doubt ,one of our greatest if not the greatest swimmer we have had and noono can ever take away any of his achievements. So what if he wants to try again, its for himself and noone else and noone can say he has ‘failed’. How is it failing when he ALREADY has olympic gold medals which is what most of our atheletes will never ever win.

    • James Ricketson says:

      09:09am | 19/03/12

      Is competitive sport about winning and losing only? Does not coming first signify failure? Does not qualifying for the Olympics signify failure? Perhaps Ian simply loves the challenge and, yes, it would have been nice to make it to the Olympics but not making it may not be ‘failure’ in his eyes. We do not need to be ‘the best’ in order to enjoy whatever challenges we face in life and there is a thrill in aiming beyond what you think (or believe) you may be capable of.

      Reply

    • chris mcDonald says:

      09:16am | 19/03/12

      So only the 8 best should remain in the sport and everyone else pack up and go home coz there’s no hope for you to shave off 2 seconds even though swimmers are winning short course championships into their 40’s. Stop doing something you love and are in the best handful in your country because we don’t like seeing you come 21st. No doubt the author would like Leyton Hewitt to have retired years ago as well following the same logic. He was 21st i am 21st thousand fastest in Australia….that’s why i don’t bother showing up.
      He should still go for Commonwealth games.

      Reply

    • bj says:

      09:20am | 19/03/12

      Funny how the article said Thorpe should give it away as he is too old when Geoff Huegill is 33 now and lost a whopping 40 kilos and made the team. Kieran Perkins came back from retirement and won gold… Maybe Ian will be back maybe he won’t but if he can he will

      Reply

    • Anjuli says:

      09:21am | 19/03/12

      I think Ian is carrying too much weight ,his frame is much heavier than when he was winning medals.

      Reply

    • Alnis says:

      09:39am | 19/03/12

      Depends on what’s more important to Thorpedo.  His “place in Australian sporting history” or just “the fun of swimming fast in competition”.  Only he can answer that, either is fine.

      Reply

    • Robert S McCormick says:

      09:48am | 19/03/12

      Leave him alone! We love him! But…There comes a time when everyone has to say “That’s it, it is time to retire or change direction”
      He joins Pat Cash as being a “True Gentleman of Sport”. Seemingly unaffected by all the hype & bullshit. No silly airs & graces, no Primo Don theatrics - unlkie that dreadful US tennis player many years ago!
      Ian should take up Coaching & Mentoring of young would-be Swimming Champions - male or female.
      He is a master of his Sport & may be now is the time for him to join the other Masters & compete accordingly.

      Reply

    • iansand says:

      11:03am | 19/03/12

      One hopes he changes direction every 50 metres.

    • Michael says:

      09:54am | 19/03/12

      I don’t see how he could ‘squander’ his ‘special place’ in sporting history - it’s there, and he’s not required to *do* anything with it.  Nor is it shameful for a champion to keep competing until the desire is sated.  Sure, if he turned 50 and struggled to break 4 minutes you wouldn’t have him competing against guys in their prime, but I think you’re being a bit precious.

      No doubt he has other talents too - but competing shouldn’t preclude those.  Whose to say that 35 is too late to become a successful businessman, or coach, or anything else he sets his mind to?  Why should he have to capitalise on things right now, rather than in 4 years time?  Just as long as he doesn’t become yet another in the long line of sports personalities to present a lifestyle program…

      Reply

    • Mark of Brisbane says:

      10:20am | 19/03/12

      @TommyP, you don’t understand sports sponsorship or revenues do you? Swimming australia needed Thorpe in order to generate the type of publicity that a. attracts sponsors and b. satisfies their TV network with ratings. I can guarantee you the revenues they generated by having Thorpe compete were far higher than what they paid the man, and the difference in those revenues pays for the younger swimmers. The younger swimmers should be thankful he came back, the entire sport should be.

      Reply

    • Zopo says:

      10:44am | 19/03/12

      I think what this has taught all of us is that you cant win all the time and there is nothing wrong with failing as long as i=you have given it your best, and Im sure he did.

      I think the kids especially would learn a lot from it also, as long as we dont crucify Thorpie for having a go. I think we all got a little buzz seeing him comeback (regardless of what you think of Thorpie) and disappointment when he didn’t make it into the team, just don’t crucify the guy for trying.,

      Who cares how much money he got offered I think he has done enough to deserve legend status.

      Reply

    • Traxster says:

      10:57am | 19/03/12

      Good on you Thorpie,at least you had a go!

      Reply

    • SD says:

      11:18am | 19/03/12

      He’s kind of got it all a*se way round, don’t worry I know, I have in aspects of life too. Not sure why he now wants to doggedly go on now, he should have kept going years ago and been retiring about now. He obviously needed a lot longer to prepare, 5-6 years out is too long to make up in one year. Just retire dude and do something else.

      Reply

    • Michael R says:

      11:40am | 19/03/12

      With snot dripping from his nose, the dejected Thorpie got as low as he could when losing the 200m. He can’t get any lower. So he may as well keep swimming and see if, as he says, he simply left his run too late. Swim on, Thorpie. Not to the next Olympics, just long enough to test your theory. Oh, and carry some tissues too.

      Reply

    • Fiona says:

      11:52am | 19/03/12

      I’m sorry but I must have missed why a guy who is physically built for swimming with feet like paddles should be considered so special.

      Now show me a short, stumpy bloke with a missing limb breaking swim records an I’ll put him on a pedestal! There’s nothing special about people who do well in sports that are physically blessed . Kenyans aren’t ‘special’ for being able to run marathons. It’s in their genetics. Show me physically challenged Davo from down the road finishing a marathon and I’ll be impressed.

      And let’s face it, swimming as a sport isn’t challenging. It’s indoors for a start. Bad weather doesn’t affect it. The water doesn’t change. You don’t hear the commentators say ‘Ooh it’s more chloriney than usual, swimming will be hard in these conditions’. It’s not like the Iron Man in rough surf. It’s not like a foot game in freezing cold or wet conditions. 

      Some say they are such martyrs for putting in long hours of training. So what? So do many other Aussies who labour away in their chosen field and are under appreciated. You don’t see ground breaking scientists getting million dollar endorsements for muesli bars! No, they just do unglamorous things like help find cures for cancer, they can’t swim fast .....

      I’m all for sport, but at what cost over and above so many other issues in our society that desperately need funding? Projects that made a real difference to people’s lives, not just line the pockets of a few.

      Reply

    • sj says:

      12:25pm | 19/03/12

      swim 5-8 km’s twice a day with various strokes and then hit the gym in between. then goto work all day (our Uni) and do it again. only to shave .05 seconds off ya PB. yep not challenging :S. some of them are still teenagers who still study for their finals and have part time jobs.

      just another keyboard warrior who is expressing a poorly educated opinion.

      you are bringing an arguement that you will fail at, as majority of sports celebs donate and promote medical research.

    • Pavlo says:

      01:19pm | 19/03/12

      @Fiona
      You clearly have no idea about swimming, let alone sport.

      Swimming not challenging? Ever tried swimming 1500m in one hit? (try it sometime, see how close you get to 14 minutes). Do you know how much training and pain these people put themselves and their bodies through to be fast in the water? They deserve a medal just for the self-discipline.

      “Kenyans aren’t ‘special’ for being able to run marathons.”
      Oh really? Does that mean all Kenyans break Olympic records daily as they take a run out to collect some water because of some slight genetic advantage?

      Your comments are silly.

    • Seth Brundle says:

      01:18pm | 19/03/12

      The only losers are those who never try…which accounts for about 98% of the Australian population.

      Reply

    • Doctor D says:

      01:21pm | 19/03/12

      Well, I do sympathise with Thorpe, almost completely broke at the age of 29 and all he knows how to do with his life is swim. It’s not the same as if those of us with lifelong skills hit hard times, we can always practice our profession (in most cases), but for Thorpie the sun has well and truly set on his career and now he has to accept a lesser lifestyle with a lesser pay packet to boot.

      Reply

    • Anna says:

      01:54pm | 19/03/12

      He should just now out gracefully and come out of the closet. He is a legend but he needs to be true to himself too!

      Reply

    • B says:

      01:55pm | 19/03/12

      What an odd article?? What is wrong with him having a go? It’s not like he’s stealing a spot from somone more deserving - that’s why they have these trials. The best go through to the Olympic team. Surely there are other topics you could write about.

      Reply

    • Ben says:

      04:00pm | 19/03/12

      Totally agree. What happened to the spirit of just having a go? Good on him.

    • Mark of Brisbane says:

      03:42pm | 19/03/12

      @B, you must be new here ... the point of The Punch is to agitate readers with nonsensical garbage and make outlandish comments without the slightest research or sources. It means their click rate gets high enough to attract advertisers. See also Tory Shepherd’s rotating subject line of “I hate men”, “I hate Christians” and my personal favourite, “White men are akin to Satan”.

      Reply
 
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