Eamon Sullivan confident to dominate Ian Thorpe before the 2012 London Olympics
Australian 100m freestyle former champion, Eamon Sullivan, expressed that he does not feel threatened with Ian Thorpe’s comeback. He agrees that Thorpe’s return is very beneficial for Swimming Australia but Sullivan has no aim of giving up his place for the former Olympic gold medallist.
The five-time Olympic gold medallist, Ian Thorpe announced to target the 100m freestyle at the fifth stop of 2011 Swimming World Cup series in November. Thorpe aims to confirm one of the two seats in the 100m freestyle to represent Australia at the 2012 London Olympics. Sullivan, who just lost his 100m freestyle national title from James Magnussen will not be making it a piece of cake for Thorpe.
Sullivan was uninvolved in the hysteria of Thorpe’s return as he commented that he has not thought about it for once. He articulated that he is entirely focused towards his training and will face the greatest Australian swimmer when the time comes.
26-year-old Sullivan symbolized Australian 4*100m freestyle relay team, which won the gold medal at the 2011 World Championships. He also competed at the 2008 Beijing Olympics, where he pocketed two silver medals in 100m freestyle and 4*100m medley relay and a bronze medal in the 4*100m freestyle relay. He also captured the bronze medal in the 100m freestyle and a gold medal in the 4*100m freestyle relay at the 2007 Melbourne World Championships.
Sullivan has no doubt in Thorpe’s potential to be the greatest swimmer again, but expressed that it is not going to be easy for the former Olympic champion to reach the top in such a little time. He said that nothing stays 100 percent after almost five years, and everyone will be preparing to maintain their spots in the Australian team and he will be making sure that Thorpe faces a tough time getting back into the squad.
Sullivan added, “We're not going to welcome him back with open arms and say, 'Here, have my individual 100 metres spot.' I'm sure no one else wants to do that as well. I think it is great for our relay team, it does add great depth and it will be great for London, but individually, I don't think anyone is ready to give their spots up. He'll have to work for it.”
Sullivan verbalised that Thorpe’s return is a great feeling for the Australian age group swimmers, but for the likes of Thorpe, it would be an attack on their dreams. Thorpe should remember that they are not just his friends but stern opponents also. He said the key to win over your closest rivals and the ones you know very well is by getting inside their brains.
He said, “It will be interesting to see how he goes. We all saw 'Skip' [Geoff Huegill], and it took him a while before he was back into his race fitness and swimming well again.”
Sullivan said that he is trying to keep an eye on Thorpe’s improvement and will face him at Singapore from November 4-5, when the comeback king will be at his best but he ensured that he too will be at his best for Thorpe.
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