Australian head coach Leigh Nugent describes Ian Thorpe as ‘a little bit like the circling shark’. Since announcing his return to swimming in February this year, Thorpe has been training abroad and the shadow of his Olympic records looms large.

With around 60 weeks until athletes launch into the Olympic pool in London, the pressure on Thorpe and his competitors is immense. Thorpe bagged nine Olympic medals in 2000 and 2004 and his return to competitive swimming has always been prefaced by the fact he feels his fastest is yet to come.

Back in Sydney to train with his Australian squad, Thorpe addressed media on Wednesday and it was clear that he is revelling in the bliss of looking and feeling like a swimmer again. Fresh from altitude camp in St Moritz, even Thorpe has been surprised by his own weight loss and training progress.

“I’m pretty happy with how my progress has been. I’m satisfied and I’m content with where I’m at,” a trim Thorpe said.

But the nine-time Olympic medallist knows “satisfied doesn’t mean that I’m there”.

Thorpe confirmed his training program is focused on the 100m and 200m freestyle. If Thorpe qualifies for the 200m, another showdown with Michael Phelps beckons.

As for the 100m freestyle, the blistering times from the 2011 Australian Championships in April showed Thorpe how hard he has to fight to qualify for London, and how awesome the Australian 4x100m freestyle team could be come 2012.

“That 100m relay is going to be a prize position on that Australian Team,” he said.

Today Thorpe swam alongside his newest 100m rival and training partner, James Magnussen and Thorpe was impressed by the 20-year-old whiz kid from Port Macquarie.

“James is swimming well and it’s good to see - he’s a good guy,” Thorpe said.

Magnussen broke through the Australian ranks to win the Australian title above a hot field including Eamon Sullivan, Matt Abood and Matt Targett, just two months after Thorpe announced his return. His time of 48.29 at Trials is still the fastest in the world this year and faster than Thorpe’s personal best of 48.56 in winning bronze at Athens 2004.

Thorpe is not eligible to compete until December under FINA regulations, but Head Coach Leigh Nugent believes the simple knowledge that Thorpe is in training somewhere in the world is pushing many Australian swimmers.

“They don’t know what Ian’s doing abroad and our athletes here have probably risen to another level. They can’t leave anything to chance now,” said Nugent.

“There’s a bit of a fear of the unknown and that automatically puts standards up. When it comes to our trials I’m sure the standards will be up and that’s because Thorpe will be there.”

Swimming trials for the 2012 Australian Olympic Team will take place in March 2012. This year the swim team minus Thorpe will compete at the World Championships in Shanghai in July in a meet that should indicate how Australia is placed leading to London.

Taya Conomos
AOC