Five-time Olympic champion Ian Thorpe has withdrawn from the Australian squad that will jet off to Europe on Monday to contest the prestigious Mare Nostrum Series.

The three meet series that stops in Monaco (June 3, 4), Canet (June 7, 8) and Barcelona (June 10, 11) was to be Thorpe’s first competition since the Commonwealth Games Trials in January where he won the 100 and 200 metre freestyle events.

A virus then forced the 23-year-old out of the Commonwealth Games before he broke his hand in an accident at his Sydney home.

National Head Coach Alan Thompson said Thorpe has decided that a solid training block, rather than racing, is a better option for him at this stage of his season.

“After talking it over with his coach Tracey (Menzies), Ian has decided that he will be better served staying in Sydney and training over the next couple of weeks,” Thompson said.

“The virus that forced him out of the Commonwealth Games took him a while to recover from and then he suffered a further setback when he broke his hand.

“Ian’s health and his hand are coming along well but we feel he is not quite ready to race yet and he will dedicate all his time to regaining full fitness.”

Despite his withdrawal from the European tour, Thorpe is determined to be ready for the trials for next year’s FINA World Championships in Melbourne.

 “Ian assures me he is committed to being at his best for the Australian Championships in Brisbane this December which are doubling as the selection trials for next year’s World Championships,” Thompson said.

Thompson is excited about the opportunities the Australian contingent, which includes world record holders Leisel Jones, Libby Lenton, Jodie Henry, Alice Mills, Sophie Edington and Tay Zimmer, will enjoy while racing in Europe.

“Despite Ian’s withdrawal we still have a strong team going to Europe and I am looking forward to our swimmers gaining more valuable international experience against some of the world’s best,” Thompson said.

“Many of the European countries preparing for the European Championships in July will use this as a final hit out so there is much to gain from this opportunity.”

Swimming Australia