Ian Thorpe

Ian Thorpe is back to swimming arena after shedding 18 kilograms. Ian Thorpe is satisfied with the progress of his comeback since making it public in February. Thorpe returned to Australia on Tuesday, having spent a few days in London attending the royal wedding and then undertaking altitude training with members of Swiss swimming squad, his new training partners under Russian coach Gennadi Touretski.

But Thorpe is not underestimating the challenges that still lie ahead in his comeback to swimming. The 28-year-old, who is targeting a place on the team for next year’s London Olympics, Australia’s greatest Olympian returned to Australia on his week-long stopover before going back to Switzerland.

Thorpe is focusing on the 100m and 200m freestyle events, but at this stage is looking at making the relay team for the London Olympics. Of course, he wouldn’t refuse an individual swim if he finished first or second in the events at the Olympic trials next March and knowing Thorpe, he will be aiming for no less. Thorpe is likely to make his competitive return at the World Cup series meet in Singapore in November, with an appearance at December’s Queensland state titles likely to be his first race in Australia.

Thorpe’s trip home is a brief one, until the weekend before heading back to Switzerland. Thorpe, who admitted his biggest challenge when training overseas, was homesickness, but was pleased his hard work was paying off. It was Thorpe’s first time back in Australia since he flew out to Abu Dhabi on February 24. The five-time Olympic gold medalist added of his recent physical transformation: “I’m starting to look like a swimmer again.”

Ian Thorpe is heading full speed towards an explosive rematch with Michael Phelps after confirming he will pour all his energy into the 100m and 200m freestyle in his comeback to swimming. Despite Coach Gennadi Touretski saying only two weeks ago Thorpe could still target his former favorite event the 400m freestyle, the five-time Olympic gold medalist enunciated he did not have the time to pursue it.

Thorpe will first aim to book a place on the Australian team for next year’s London Olympics at the national trials in March, qualification paving the way for a possible showdown with Phelps at the Games. The pair met in the 200m decider at the 2004 Athens Olympics, with Thorpe winning gold in what was dubbed the “race of the century”.

Tags: Australia, Gennadi Touretski, Ian Thorpe, London Olympics, London Olympics 2012, Swimming