Scott 5Ian Thorpe retires from swimming...
November 21st 2006 01:06
A visibly saddened and sometimes teary eyed Ian Thorpe has retired from swimming, hanging up the goggles on a 10-year international career.
Thorpe, 24, made the announcement - an immediate retirement, at a press conference in Sydney at midday.
After revealing that he has been weighing up his future for some time, Thorpe said he has decided to 'discontinue' his swimming career in order to move on to the 'next phase' of his life.
Thorpe's announcement comes after speculation regarding whether the five-time Olympic gold medallist was training for the upcoming Australian Championships, which double as qualification for the World Championships next March.
He was expected to confirm his withdrawal from the national championships to be held in Brisbane next month at his Tuesday press conference but has stunned many by revealing he will never swim for Australia again.
Thorpe, 24, made the announcement - an immediate retirement, at a press conference in Sydney at midday.
After revealing that he has been weighing up his future for some time, Thorpe said he has decided to 'discontinue' his swimming career in order to move on to the 'next phase' of his life.
Thorpe's announcement comes after speculation regarding whether the five-time Olympic gold medallist was training for the upcoming Australian Championships, which double as qualification for the World Championships next March.
He was expected to confirm his withdrawal from the national championships to be held in Brisbane next month at his Tuesday press conference but has stunned many by revealing he will never swim for Australia again.
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Comment by Stanley
Comment by Ruth
NSW
ACT
VIC
SA
WA
A big ups to Ian he did fantastically and there's nothing worst than an athlete grabbing at former glory when their hearts no longer in it. He made the right decision.
Comment by MelissaA
Fun Facts
I think it's great that he really wants to work out the best thing for himself at this point, as Stanley said - he has paid his dues, he did us all proud and should all now stand behind him in his decision.
Comment by charles
ZCars
Ponderous
Charles.
Comment by Sport Talk
Thorpe certainly disappointed me in his approach to the Commonwealth Games and even the comps next month.
Alas, he was great. But Ruth... Why assume that training and managing yourself as an athlete is not better than partying and socialising?
Thorpe is a very rich man, and has done something he loves, surely he wouldn't retire to be like everyone else.
Everyone (well many) would give everything to be just like him and squeeze every ounce of potential out.
Thorpe had plenty left to offer.
Comment by Daressi
He achieved great things. Life of an athlete is very hard , he must to work hard for any single result . Now, he decided to do some other things he like . He is young , rich , good looking
Comment by Daressi
Comment by GuillermoGj
it was hard to listen that he was not going to keep on it. but i think that we gotta do what we like, at the time we like, cuz then, it isn't what we like
ian = the best of all the times
Comment by Anonymous