Thorpe confirms Olympic programme

[Steve]

Ian Thorpe has confirmed his programme of events for the Athens Olympics and will swim the 100, 200 and 400 freestyle at the Australian Olympic Trials at the end of March. So only six Golds now possible ;)

[lane4]

Ian Thorpe has confirmed his programme of events for the Athens Olympics and will swim the 100, 200 and 400 freestyle at the Australian Olympic Trials at the end of March. So only six Golds now possible ;)

And if Phelps enters these 3 events too then Thorpe can only win 3 golds.

;) :p :devil:

[Dreama]

dream on lane4...I still have faith in Thorpe

[Bazza]

In 2003 Phelps posted the fastest times in the world for 200 IM, 400 IM and 200 fly, the second fastest in the 100 fly, 200 back and 200 free and the third fastest in the 400 free. I certainly believe he has the ability to win four individual events, and maybe the offer of $1m to try might help...

[lane4]

So only six Golds now possible ;)

Perhaps its just 1 gold possible though (the 4x200) as Australia have virtually no chance whatsoever of winning gold in the medley relay or 4x100 free relay this time around, especially considering that FRANCE overtook Thorpe in the last leg of the 4x100 free relay in Barcelona!

;) :p :devil:

Thorpe's best chance is the 400 free but I suspect he is training more towards the 100 (albeit Hoogenband is winning the 100 and probably the 200 too) so he has to hope Hackett isn't in a fast 400 mood in Athens and that Phelps does not enter it either. However, this last point is most unlikely as I think the 400 free AND the 400 IM are both on day one of the meet for men.

[swimbuoy]

I dont see Thorpe & Phelps clashing, apart from in the relays to be honest.

I feel Phelps will swim the 200 & 400 im, the 200 fly & perhaps the 200 back. He would also need to swim the 100 fly, 100 free & 200 free at trials in order to make the relay squads. Whether he takes up those events individually is a different matter & doubtful to be honest.

What a great position to be in though & it'll be interesting to see how things unfold.

[Bazza]

I would expect Phelps to prioritise the medley and fly events, as that is where his greatest strengths lie. He could try and squeeze in a 5th event but that would be very hard work!

Thorpe, I agree, has favoured the 100m over the 400m and I'm surprised he isn't taking on the 50m the way he's heading! It's almost like he's trying to take on the big boys at their own event and I don't think he has what it takes to mix it over 100m, despite the fact he is top 3 in the world on paper. I guess we might have to settle for another exciting 200m free...

[Kate]

In Swimming Magazine Bill Sweetenham is quoted as saying "we are capable of winning two medals in Athens - we will have a mixture of hope and reality for more but it would be foolish of me even to suggest that."

So which two medals?

[swimbuoy]

In Swimming Magazine Bill Sweetenham is quoted as saying "we are capable of winning two medals in Athens - we will have a mixture of hope and reality for more but it would be foolish of me even to suggest that."

So which two medals?

I believe Bill feels the team can win more than 2, but doesnt want to put any extra pressure on.

You have to think Gibson (100 breast), Edmond (200 breast), Sexton (100,200 back) & the womens 4x200 relay are our best shots.

Outsiders off the top of my head- Foster (50 free), Davies/Smith (1500 free), Parry (200 fly), Sheppard (50 free), Marshall (200 free)??

It is possible that the squad could perform well in terms of p.b's & still not win any medals, but lets hope that is not the case.

I would go for 3 medals; 1 silver & 2 bronze.

[olympicdreams]

Why has every1 lost faith in thorpe? Fair enough people have beaten him and his times recently and i think he maybe got complacent or found it hard to motivate himself after being so successful but i still believe that he is well capable of getting golds, the olympics are the ultimate motivation and he will push himself to his limits.

[swimbuoy]

Why has every1 lost faith in thorpe? Fair enough people have beaten him and his times recently and i think he maybe got complacent or found it hard to motivate himself after being so successful but i still believe that he is well capable of getting golds, the olympics are the ultimate motivation and he will push himself to his limits.

Who said we have lost faith in Thorpe? And who has beaten him in the 200/400 free in recent times??

He will win the 200 & 400 free in Athens + other relay medals!

Its just that Phelps will win many more :p

[lane4]

In Swimming Magazine Bill Sweetenham is quoted as saying "we are capable of winning two medals in Athens - we will have a mixture of hope and reality for more but it would be foolish of me even to suggest that."

So which two medals?

This is the public message only in order that the media does not build our hopes up too much. I suspect a lot more than 2 is expected privately but if the media built us up to win 10 or so and we only won 2 we would look hopeless. On the other hand, if we win 10 after only (in public at least) predicting 2 then Bill looks like the most amazing miracle worker of all time and can expect his salary to go up a lot more or job offers to from elsewhere to come flooding in.

[whiteminiman]

Very cynical view Lane4.... but probably right!

[Dreama]

go Thorpedo!

[swimmer]

Very cynical view Lane4.... but probably right!


he's ever the cynic :rolleyes:

[Top10ranking]

go phelps!!!

[Coach]

This is the public message only in order that the media does not build our hopes up too much. I suspect a lot more than 2 is expected privately but if the media built us up to win 10 or so and we only won 2 we would look hopeless. On the other hand, if we win 10 after only (in public at least) predicting 2 then Bill looks like the most amazing miracle worker of all time and can expect his salary to go up a lot more or job offers to from elsewhere to come flooding in.


How many do you expect us to win and which events?