I read somewhere that Ian Thorpe was making a comeback for these Olympics. I think it said something about going to Switzerland to train with a special coach in seclusion.
=> Could this be doable for someone 29 years old who's been away from the pool for some time?
=> He was a freestyle machine in his younger days --- could he challenge for a medal(s) in London?
I read somewhere that Ian Thorpe was making a comeback for these Olympics. I think it said something about going to Switzerland to train with a special coach in seclusion.
=> Could this be doable for someone 29 years old who's been away from the pool for some time?
=> He was a freestyle machine in his younger days --- could he challenge for a medal(s) in London?
At least in Thorpe's case the answer is "no" for both questions. Thorpe failed to make the Aussie Olympic team. In fact he wasn't even really that close.
Brendan Hansen made his comeback and he's in Olympic team now though as far as I know he didn't give up swimming completely and did some open water events for fun.
Brendan Hansen made his comeback and he's in Olympic team now though as far as I know he didn't give up swimming completely and did some open water events for fun.
The difference between Hansen and Thorpe was that Hansen trained for triathlons. He lost alot of weight during his hiatus. However, he didn't seem to have anything for the 200 ***. Maybe, he is just a sprint breastroker now. Thorpe probably didn't do anything. The media went to town on Thorpe's weight gain and I was like, I would kill to be his non training weight.
After the Aussie Trials I remember Thorpe admitting he just didn't start his comeback early enough. At the time he said he intends to continue training and hopefully make the Worlds team next year. I hope he wasn't just blowing smoke. It would be great to see him back!
At least in Thorpe's case the answer is "no" for both questions. Thorpe failed to make the Aussie Olympic team. In fact he wasn't even really that close.
Correct. He swam really well in the heat and looked to be his old self. He was on top of the water and to be honest it looked like he would prove alot of people wrong. But when it came to the finals he just didn't have the speed. From memory i think he swam slower than the heats. He then tried out for the 100m so he could make the relay but was no real chance of making it.
Libby Trickett successfully made her comeback and will compete in the 4x100m relay. Michael Klim also tried a comeback but got nowhere near it.
