Ian Thorpe could be an encouragement for his teammates: Mark Spitz and Dawn Fraser – Swimming News
Swimming icons USA’s Mark Spitz and Australia’s Dawn Fraser think that the five-time Olympic champion and comeback king, Ian Thorpe can be an inspiration for his teammates at the 2012 London Olympic Games.
The 29-year-old Thorpe, who made a comeback to competitive swimming after almost five years of retirement in February 2011, has shown notable improvement in his time since his comeback, but he still has a long way to confirm his berth to London.
Thorpe has demonstrated his determination and hard work by making continuous improvement in his timings at every successive meet he participates.
The 200m and 400m freestyle Olympic champion is trying to earn his way to the forthcoming Olympic Games in the 4*100m freestyle relay, but for that, he would have to break into the Australian relay squad, which won gold medal at the 2011 Shanghai World Championships.
Spitz and Fraser believed that Thorpe could be a vital part of Australian squad, but first, he has to make his way in the top four Australian 100m freestyle swimmers, as this would be the only way to reach the London Olympics’ starting block.
They believed that Thorpe has a good chance of qualifying for the 4*200m freestyle relay rather than the 4*100m as Swimming Australia usually selects top six swimmers in the former event.
The four-time Olympic gold medallist, Fraser said about Thorpe that, “Maturity, he is a very mature young man we have got a couple of 15-year-old kids that could make the team and they need someone to guide them. It inspires the team. Inspiration is something
you thrive on.”
Spitz, who in the earlier days was not a fan of Thorpe’s comeback, said, "Absolutely, he is an inspiration for those who looked up to him when he was in his formidable years. He can add a lot of calm if that is necessary, bring together a team to be really
competitive in any environment.”
Nevertheless, Spitz asserted that it would be epic if Thorpe finds his way into the 4*100m freestyle relay team that includes the current 100m freestyle world champion, James Magnussen along with Matthew Targett, Matthew Abood and Eamon Sullivan.
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