Ian Thorpe to face stiff challenge from Eamon Sullivan for 2012 London Olympics – Swimming news
Australian 100m freestyle champion, Eamon Sullivan has 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 Australian National Swimming Championships in November. Thorpe aims to confirm one of the two seats in the 100m freestyle to represent Australia at the 2012 London
Olympics. Sullivan holds the title for the meet very event since Ian Thorpe’s retirement in 2006 and he won’t be making it a piece of cake for Thorpe.
Sullivan wants to be uninvolved in the hysteria of Thorpe’s return as he commented that he has not think 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.
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 nothing stays 100 percent after four 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 team.
Sullivan said, “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 opponents, the ones you know very well is by getting inside their brains.
He added, “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 will be keeping an eye on Thorpe’s improvement and will face him next year, 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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