Swimming: Thorpe’s Olympic dreams dashed

ADELAIDE: Five-time Olympic champion Ian Thorpe missed his last chance of qualifying for the London Games when he failed to make the semi-finals of the 100-metres freestyle at selection trials in Adelaide. Thorpe, who had to finish in the top-16 to reach the semi-finals, posted 50.35 seconds (s) and the 21st-fastest time behind world champion James Magnussen (48.26s). Despite winning his heat, Thorpe’s time was almost 0.2s outside the top-16 to progress to the last-four. “Thorpe’s been someone I’ve always admired as a swimmer, so it is upsetting for him and the rest of us do feel his pain,” said Magnussen. “It would have been great to have him there in London.”

Published in The Express Tribune, March 19^th, 2012.