JOIN USThorpe hopes on the line
Ian Thorpe's hopes of competing at a third Olympic Games are on the line this week at Australia's national swimming trials in Adelaide, where a number of local rivals are aiming to crush the five-time gold medallist's London dreams.
The 29-year-old, who announced his comeback just over a year ago after more than five years out of the pool, has all but written off his chances of breaking into Australia's fiercely competitive team, admitting that he left his run too late to be fully fit for the trials.
"It's been bloody frustrating that I've trained the house down. I thought it would translate into good racing and results," Thorpe said in a column carried by local newspapers over the weekend. "It hasn't happened and that has tested my mental strength and my patience. I truly believe my hard work deserved better. I'm hoping my racing mojo returns for Adelaide."
Australia's head coach Leigh Nugent believes Thorpe could still spring a surprise at the South Australian Aquatic and Leisure Centre, where he will focus on the 100 and 200 metres freestyle events.
"I think with someone like Ian, the history he's got and knowing his competitive capabilities, you could never write him out of the equation," Nugent told local media. "I've been around a long time and I've had a lot to do with Ian and with swimming at this level for almost two-and-a-half decades and with him, you've got to expect for him to pull something out of the bag ... He just has that sort of ability."
The 11-times world champion's form has dismayed an adoring public that remembers him as a podium-topping titan, but fingers remain crossed he will pull an ace from his sleeve to book his ticket to London.
Either way, Thorpe, who makes his first appearance in the 200 preliminaries on Friday, has his work cut out to finish fastest or runner-up in the finals, which would guarantee an individual berth at London if he meets qualifying times.
His best hope appears a top-six finish, however, which would at least offer a chance of selection in the relays.
Thorpe's stiffest competition in the 100 freestyle will come from 20-year-old title-holder James Magnussen, who swam a stunning 47.63 to win gold at the world championships in Shanghai last year. Australia's first world champion in the blue riband event, Magnussen has talked of stripping Brazilian Cesar Cielo's world mark of 46.91.