Ian Thorpe’s London 2012 plans screeched to a halt today when he finished twelfth in a time of 1min 49.91sec in the semi-finals of the 200 metres freestyle at Australia’s Olympic trials in Adelaide.
In the first semi, Thomas Fraser-Holmes clocked 1:47.57, with Ned McKendry on 1:48.34, 0.01sec ahead of a matched time for Cameron McEvoy and David McKeon, the 400m free winner on day 1, with Jarrod Killey on 1:48.53 and Kyle Richardson on 1:48.65.
On paper, Thorpe, on 1:49.19 in morning heats, looked set to make the grade. But after remaining in contention with the leaders in the second semi-final, the 2004 Olympic champion and former world record holder (on 1:44.06 in 2001), had no response as a field of younger swimmers past him on the way home.
Ryan Napoleon led Kenrick Monk 1:47.51 to 1:47.92, with Tommaso D’Orsogna on 1:48.03. Next through came Robert Hurley and Nick Ffrost, on 1:48.30 and 1:48.38, Thorpe on 1:49.91, any hopes of a swim at London 2012 seemingly over.
Thorpe, whose intention had been to make relays for London 2012 six years after retiring, still has the 100m to aim for but looks to be far away from the shape he would need to muscle in on the might of James Magnussen, the world 100m champion, and a shoal of world-class sprinters that Australia has developed since his retirement in the wake of taking bronze over 100m at Athens 2004 in a week when he also won the 200m and 400m crowns.
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Thorpe’s 2004 victories were the last world-class efforts of his career, as comeback swims have yet to hint at the formidable power he once was.
“The last 100 was a struggle, I’m not sure why. I’m terribly disappointed with that, I had a really good heat swim and I thought I could swim a lot quicker,” the 29-year-old said after finishing more than two seconds off the pace set by Napoleon.
“This was slower than what I swam this morning, probably the inexperience of racing in the last 18 months held me up.
“The fairytale has turned into a nightmare. I’m really grateful for everyone’s support, they’ve been great. Hopefully I’ll be faster [in the 100m].”
Thorpe added of the size of the task he faces if he is to qualify for his third Olympic Games: “I have to get myself back up. It’s fine to be disappointed. There’s a little bit of time to allow myself to do that tonight.
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“Tomorrow, when I get back up, I have a competition to finish now. And a competition where I have to perform well. I still want my spot on this team.
“It got a bit harder this evening, but I’ll find something within myself to give myself the best shot and try not to let this detract from that possibility.”
Thorpe’s failure in the 100m would amount to a major embarrassment for Swimming Australia which has backed the swimmer, funding his comeback and those of a number of ageing former champions making a last bid for this summer’s Games.