Swimming Australia might show leniency to Ian Thorpe at the Australian Selection Trials

Swimming Australia might show leniency to Ian Thorpe at the Australian Selection Trials

What was previously seen as a truly ‘Time Game’ is no longer a strict threat to the Australian comeback king, Ian Thorpe, who is struggling hard to achieve his 2012 London Olympic Games qualification dream.

The 29-year-old Thorpe, who is trying to confirm his spot in the Australian 4*100m freestyle relay team to London has just 10 days left, as the Australian Selection Trials for the London Olympics are starting from March 15.

Thorpe’s sluggish effort in the 100m freestyle at the last month’s Zurich International Meet was very upsetting for his supporters. The five-time Olympic champion, Thorpe, who returned to aggressive swimming after five years of retirement, is finding it
very hard to prove his mettle in the double lap freestyle event.

Nevertheless, it has been unveiled that Swimming Australia might consider an option to take Thorpe to the 2012 London Games, if he closely misses his qualification spot. The Australian is expected to compete in the 100m and 200m freestyle disciplines as
the top six finishers of both events qualify for the respective relay events.

The international aquatic sports governing body, Federation Internationale de Natation Amateur (FINA) has allowed every nation to bring 12 swimmers for the 4*100m and 4*200m freestyle relays. Nonetheless, if Thorpe finishes seventh in any of his two events,
he has a good chance of going to London.

The Australian Swimming Head Coach, Leigh Nugent, who is the ultimate authority for finalising Australia’s Swimming Team, has told that no special treatment will be provided to Thorpe.

Thorpe has participated in a lot of events since last November. At first, he showed continuous improvement in his pace but the 29-year-old went slower at the last month’s meet in Zurich.

Many believed that it would not be wise to rule out Thorpe as a potential candidate in the 100m event whereas the great Australian swimmer, Grant Hackett expressed that Thorpe has a good chance in making the 4*200m freestyle relay team.

The Australian trials for Olympics are scheduled in Adelaide whereas Thorpe’s supporters are eager to see him perform at the forthcoming trials.

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Posted by Mursil Mehmood Butt on Mar 5 2012. Filed under Sports. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0. You can leave a response or trackback to this entry