Thorpe targets record haul

[Steve]

Ian thorpe has apparently taken up backstroke to try and win 7 gold medals at the commies - full story at bbc news (http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport/hi/english/other_sports/newsid_1841000/1841370.stm) - anyone think he'll actually do it?

Lets face it in teh free, 200 and 400 he's a shoe in, and the three men's relays will probably be won by Australia, DQ's notwithstanding, but the 100m? Can anyone beat him? Given that Klim won't be swimming - I wouldn't bet against him winning it, I have to admit.

But the bakcstroke - he's ony ranked third from last year, behind 2 other aussies. If he spends more time training on it to improve his time (an impressive 55.64 :eek: ) his freestyle will surely suffer (although he's so far ahead in the middle distance events it probably won't make any difference :rolleyes: ) any thoughts?

[Bazza]

Thorpe set a world record to win the 800m at the world championships but because that event is not on the Commonwealth Games programme, he is looking for another race to fill the void. The Sydney teenager was an outstanding backstroker as a junior but gave it up to focus his energies on freestyle.

Only that a couple of high profile freestylers from recent years (Popov and Alshammer immediately spring to mind) used to be backstrokers. I thought he'd have a better shout going for the 50 (can he really sprint?) or 1500 (maybe a bit too far - even for him). It's a shame there's no 800 from his point of view.

[lane4]

At the last Commy Games Thorpe came 4th in the 200 fly with 2:00.2. When he was 14 he went 2:04 for the 200 IM long course. His 55 back swim last season was a bit of a fun swim when leading off the relay at the Goodwill Games. The guy can do any stroke any distance. His other events will not suffer because of it either. At the Commy Games this year Thorpe fancies doing somethign else as his main events all come in the first few days and he watned something for the back end of the meet so he chose the 100 back. I for one will not be in the least surprised if he goes 53.

[lane4]

Incredibly, the 100 back semi-final is the event immediately prior to the 100 free final in Manchester. This according to the ASA site. No womens race inbetween so even Thorpe will have to be careful with his tactics if he is to win gold in all 7 events, presuming he qualifies for all at the Trials of course.