Gennadi Touretski believes that Ian Thorpe can be better than before - Swimming News
Russian swimming coach, Gennadi Touretski, has placed his firm belief in Ian Thorpe’s fitness, saying that the Australian's comeback can be better than before in any event.
Touretski is very happy with Thorpe’s progress in the last two months and claims that he is impressed with Thorpe’s improvement.
Touretski, who was the coach of Ian’s former rival, Alexander Popov, has joined Thorpe two months ago to help him qualify for the 2012 London Olympics. Thorpe, who is the five-time Olympics gold medallist, retired from competitive swimming in 2006 and gained
over 110 kilos.
The 28-year-old Thorpe then returned to competitive swimming saying that he will try to find a spot in the Australian international swimming team to compete at the 2012 Olympics. In addition, after two months of training program under the supervision of
Touretski, Thorpe has now dropped his weight to 98 kilos.
Gennadi, who is supervising a national training camp at Gold Coast, confirmed the news of Ian dropping his weight. He said that Ian looks fabulous by weighing 98 kilos, the weight he had at the time of 2004 Athens Olympic Games.
Touretski, said, "When it comes to his fitness level, we followed a very simple structure of optimum swimming, then (dry-land) fitness training four times a week and a lot of walking."
Touretski also said that after five years of retirement from competitive swimming, Thorpe has composed his body to the ideal structure of elite athletes. Touretski justified his decision by saying that Thorpe’s body comprises of only 10.7 percent fats, which
is very good for an athlete.
Thorpe said after his comeback that he will be targeting shorter events for his qualification to the 2012 Olympics. Thorpe said his focus will remain on the 100m freestyle, 200m freestyle and the 4*100m freestyle relay.
In addition, the 28-year-old Australian expressed his only regret, saying that he wished he had made his come-back a little sooner, so he could prepare himself for the London Olympics.
Touretski said that Thorpe will make a splash into competitive swimming, as soon as the nine-month ban imposed by FINA on him, expires. The international sports governing body, FINA, imposed a nine-month restriction on Thorpe’s participation into competitive
swimming and the ban will expire on November 2011.
While expressing his belief over Thorpe’s improvement, Gennadi, said, "In his performances in the 400m or 200m, I think he can be faster than before with the right training, but when it comes to the 100m he must do extra things."
The Russian coach has also said that Thorpe has the potential to overcome the challenges, which will come forward from his fellow Australian swimmers. He said that Thorpe’s rapid improvement is remarkable and he can find his spot in the Australian team to
London.
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