Horton to sound out Thorpedo

AN Thorpe has emerged as the man who could help Mack Horton launch another golden Olympic campaign, with the Rio 400m freestle champion set to approach Australia’s last world champion in the 800m for advice on how best to tackle the newest event on the Olympic program.

Thorpe broke the 800m world record the first time he tackled the event, in 2001, sitting on distance great Grant Hackett’s hip for almost 700m before sprinting away.

He then went on to win the event at the world championships in Fukuoka.

Horton has jettisoned the 1500m from his international program and will focus on the 400m – the event in which he won gold in Rio.

But he will also tackle the 800m which has been added to the Olympic program, with his first major hitout at this week’s Pan Pacs in Tokyo.

The distance has rarely contested by big names given it is on few major championship programs.

But last year’s decision to add it to the Tokyo Olympic program, along with the 1500m for women, will see a boom in popularity.

Few people are tactically astute in the race though.

“I haven’t quite figured out the 800m yet,” Horton said.

“I’ve focused on the 400m, I want to swim well in the 800m.

“I don’t think many people have figured it out. I look forward to testing the waters.”

He is keen to talk to the man who has had success in the 800m as he bids to become Australia’s first Olympic champion in the event.

“I’ve spoken to Thorpie a couple of times, not so much about the 800m,” he said. “I’m probably overdue.” Horton begins his Pan Pac campaign in the 200m tomorrow before the 400m on Saturday and 800m a day later.