Center
Thorpe content with progress but still has work to do
Updated: 2011-05-18 16:56
(Agencies)
SYDNEY - Ian Thorpe is starting to look like a swimmer again but is still nowhere near the level he needs to reach to be competitive, the five-times Olympic champion said on Wednesday.
Australia's most successful Olympian is on the comeback trail after announcing his return to the pool with the aim of competing in next year's London Games.
|
"I'm satisfied. I'm content where I'm at but I have a lot to do," said Thorpe. "Satisfied doesn't mean I'm there, by no means, I'm not at all. But I'm happy with where I'm at.
"I'm starting to look like a swimmer again," he added.
Thorpe is plotting his return under the guidance of famed Russian coach Gennadi Touretski, who enjoyed huge success with sprinters Alexander Popov and Michael Klim among others.
Ten recent days of intensive high altitude training had been a good test of his "capacities", Thorpe said, and he confirmed he would be sticking to the 100 and 200 metres in his bid to reach a third Olympics.
"I honestly don't think I'd have enough time to do anything for the 400m," said Thorpe, who won the eight-lap event at the Sydney and Athens Olympics. "Already with what I'm doing in the timeframe that I have, it's a tough ask."
Unable to compete until he has been registered for dope testing for nine months, Thorpe is expected to make his competitive return in Singapore in November.
Specials
![](../../attachement/jpg/site241/20110513/bc305ba24a510f3735c001.jpg)
The song dynasty
There are MORE THAN 300 types of Chinese operas but two POPULAR varieties are major standouts
![](../../attachement/jpg/site1/20110509/00221917dead0f31884f03.jpg)
Sino-US Dialogue
China and the US hold the third round of the Strategic and Economic Dialogue from May 9-10 in Washington.
![](../../attachement/jpg/site181/20110513/bc305ba24a510f3733ed57.jpg)
Building communities
American architect John Portman and his company have developed more than 30 projects across China.