Ian Thorpe has suddenly become a bit shy around the media.
This shift is starkly different from a year ago, when the chief executive of a sponsor officially announced Thorpe’s sports comeback to the public.
Although he has not yet achieved his previous impressive standards, there remains significant interest in the star of the Sydney and Athens Olympics, even at this weekend’s more subdued event in Zurich.
According to a statement on the Swiss Swimming Federation’s website, “Ian Thorpe will concentrate fully on his two starts and will not be available for interviews.”
Known for thriving on the big stage, Thorpe will be eager to see any improvement in his times while competing in Switzerland.
With just three weeks until the trials, Thorpe is set to participate in the 100m and 400m freestyle on Saturday night EDT at the Hi-Point meeting.
His choice to compete in the eight-lap race is aimed at training, as his primary focus remains on the 100m and 200m events.
To secure a spot in the Olympics during the trials in Adelaide starting on March 15, he must place in the top six of either the 100m or 200m.
If selected, the time between the trials and the London Games could allow him to become a key member of the 4x200m relay team.
Pieter van den Hoogenband, Thorpe’s fierce rival, has expressed surprise at Thorpe’s inability to post faster times since his return.
He highlighted Thorpe’s time of one minute and 51.51 seconds in the 200m in Italy just before Christmas as a concerning indicator.
“He is struggling,” he commented.
“He is not performing well – I thought he would swim faster. I mean, 1:51.5 …
“When you are in training, to hit 1:51 without a start, it is so … hopefully he improves.”
Van den Hoogenband narrowly defeated Thorpe for gold in the 200m at the Sydney Olympics, only for Thorpe to turn the tables in Athens.
The Dutch swimmer advised Thorpe to focus on the four-lap event rather than attempting to compete with the 100m world champion James Magnussen and others over the longer distance.
“If you look at Ian, his best (in the 100m) is 48.5, and he needs to swim a second faster to keep up with Magnussen – that will be very challenging,” he noted.
“Tell him to concentrate on the 200m.”
by Buford Balony
