Thorpe?

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2008-08-12 10:20 PM

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Subject: Thorpe?
This is probably a stupid question but I haven't heard anything about Ian Thorpe in the Olympics and haven't seen anybody talking about it around BT. Maybe I missed something and it's probably a "duh" answer, but why isn't he competing at this year's games?

2008-08-12 10:21 PM
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Champion
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Subject: RE: Thorpe?
I believe he retired.  Don't quote me on that, though.
2008-08-12 10:25 PM
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Subject: RE: Thorpe?
Yup he is retired from swimming....
2008-08-12 10:27 PM
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Subject: RE: Thorpe?
That settles it then! Thanks you two.
2008-08-12 10:31 PM
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Subject: RE: Thorpe?
He retired,  but gee it would be interesting to see Phelps and Thorpe racing (if both were in peak form!)
2008-08-13 7:14 AM
in reply to: #1599324

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Champion
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Subject: RE: Thorpe?

I was wondering also.   Is only 26 years old.

After the Athens Olympics, Thorpe took a year away from swimming, scheduling a return for the 2006 Commonwealth Games. However, he was forced to withdraw due to illness. Subsequent training camps were interrupted, and he announced his retirement in November 2006, citing waning motivation.[8]

2008-08-13 8:07 AM
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Master
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Subject: RE: Thorpe?

If you think that Phelps is a celebrity in America Thorpe is like a god to the rest of the world. Seriously the guy had endorsement deals before Phelps could spell endorsement. He really didn't "need..." to swim because swimming bought him a Bradgelina type lifestyle. It's a shame though. It seems swimmers are getting better as they get older and it would be really great to see Thorpe go head to head with Phelps. I know Phelps is wonderful and all winning all those golds but I really do think Thorpe is the better swimmer. (Don't want to start any fights... )

He just DOMINATED swimming. I mean really at 14 years old he beat everyone out of the water. Just craziness! I know that people have Phelps fever but the Aussie really put swimming on the map and made it a worldwide phenomon because he was the first to achieve such fame outside the pool. Man just writing about him makes me miss seeing him in the pool.

And remember THORPE DID BEAT PHELPS in Sydney in the 200 m freestyle. Boy it would have been great to see them go head to head in that fast pool in China. Whew. I get goosebumps just thinking about it.



Edited by infosteward 2008-08-13 8:15 AM
2008-08-13 8:37 AM
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Subject: RE: Thorpe?
He retired.. The camera found him in the spectator stand at one of MP's matches, with noticeable receeding hairline.

Edited by Denise2003 2008-08-13 8:42 AM
2008-08-13 8:47 AM
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Subject: RE: Thorpe?
infosteward - 2008-08-13 9:07 AM

If you think that Phelps is a celebrity in America Thorpe is like a god to the rest of the world. Seriously the guy had endorsement deals before Phelps could spell endorsement. He really didn't "need..." to swim because swimming bought him a Bradgelina type lifestyle. It's a shame though. It seems swimmers are getting better as they get older and it would be really great to see Thorpe go head to head with Phelps. I know Phelps is wonderful and all winning all those golds but I really do think Thorpe is the better swimmer. (Don't want to start any fights... )

He just DOMINATED swimming. I mean really at 14 years old he beat everyone out of the water. Just craziness! I know that people have Phelps fever but the Aussie really put swimming on the map and made it a worldwide phenomon because he was the first to achieve such fame outside the pool. Man just writing about him makes me miss seeing him in the pool.

And remember THORPE DID BEAT PHELPS in Sydney in the 200 m freestyle. Boy it would have been great to see them go head to head in that fast pool in China. Whew. I get goosebumps just thinking about it.



Thorpe would have to be significantly better than he was at his peak to compete with Phelps and I am a Thorpe fan. Phelps was no where close to his peak in Sydney (Age 19) as witnessed by how much faster he is now. Thorpes winning 200 time - 1:44.71. Phelps winning time - 1:42.96.

What makes Phelps so incredible is that he is able to dominate in so many events. The 200 free is not considered one of his strongest events, yet he was 1.75 seconds (an eternity in swimming) faster than Thorpe was just 4 years earlier.

2008-08-13 9:31 AM
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2008-08-13 11:21 AM
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Subject: RE: Thorpe?

docswim24 - 2008-08-13 9:47 AM  Thorpe would have to be significantly better than he was at his peak to compete with Phelps and I am a Thorpe fan. Phelps was no where close to his peak in Sydney (Age 19) as witnessed by how much faster he is now. Thorpes winning 200 time - 1:44.71. Phelps winning time - 1:42.96. What makes Phelps so incredible is that he is able to dominate in so many events. The 200 free is not considered one of his strongest events, yet he was 1.75 seconds (an eternity in swimming) faster than Thorpe was just 4 years earlier.

Agreed. It would have been interesting to see them racing if they were both at their peak.  Yes, Thorpe beat Phelps, but Phelps has come a very long way since then.

It has been nice to see Thorpe in the stands.  Have they interviewed him at all? 

2008-08-13 1:08 PM
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Subject: RE: Thorpe?

Denise2003 - 2008-08-13 6:37 AM He retired.. The camera found him in the spectator stand at one of MP's matches, with noticeable receeding hairline.

If he did make a comeback, wouldn't need a cap.

2008-08-13 1:57 PM
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Subject: RE: Thorpe?
Denise2003 - 2008-08-13 8:37 AM He retired.. The camera found him in the spectator stand at one of MP's matches, with noticeable receeding hairline.
He also looked a little thick around the middle.
2008-08-13 2:03 PM
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Subject: RE: Thorpe?
is there a peak age for a male swimmer? thorpe retired because of "waning motivation" amother other reasons, but if phelps remains motivated and healthy, can he continue to get stronger as he gets older? i mean there is a 41 year old female swimmer still going strong. Could we see phelps for another 2 or 3 olympics!?!?
2008-08-13 2:11 PM
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Subject: RE: Thorpe?

vrljc - 2008-08-13 3:03 PM is there a peak age for a male swimmer? thorpe retired because of "waning motivation" amother other reasons, but if phelps remains motivated and healthy, can he continue to get stronger as he gets older? i mean there is a 41 year old female swimmer still going strong. Could we see phelps for another 2 or 3 olympics!?!?

Jason Lezak is 32. I suppose if you can keep yourself healthy and strong enough, it's possible to go a bit longer. And most importantly, if you still enjoy that level of training and competing. After awhile, it takes a toll, I'd imagine.

2008-08-13 2:31 PM
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Subject: RE: Thorpe?
vrljc - 2008-08-13 3:03 PM

is there a peak age for a male swimmer? thorpe retired because of "waning motivation" amother other reasons, but if phelps remains motivated and healthy, can he continue to get stronger as he gets older? i mean there is a 41 year old female swimmer still going strong. Could we see phelps for another 2 or 3 olympics!?!?


Generally the peak is considered to be early to mid 20's but it varies. Generally as you hit your late 20's and 30's you can continue to swim fast but cannot do as many events as you take more time to recover, which is why the 400IM we saw might be Phelps last at Olympic competition. If he swam the 2012 Olympics, it is likely he would cut back on the number of events he swam as his body would need more time to recover.

2008-08-13 3:15 PM
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Supersonicus Idioticus
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Subject: RE: Thorpe?
The problem with Thorpe is that no one was close to him when he swam. And we all know that it's easier to look ahead of you and chase someone down rather than look behind to hold someone off... it also kills your motivation.

It's a shame because, other than upper-quadrant-swimming, Thorpe wasn't able to advance the sport more.
2008-08-15 6:48 AM
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Subject: RE: Thorpe?

vrljc - 2008-08-13 3:03 PM is there a peak age for a male swimmer? thorpe retired because of "waning motivation" amother other reasons, but if phelps remains motivated and healthy, can he continue to get stronger as he gets older? i mean there is a 41 year old female swimmer still going strong. Could we see phelps for another 2 or 3 olympics!?!?

You could... but he says he's done after London no matter what.

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