‘Thorpe may not compete again’
MELBOURNE: Australian swimming great Ian Thorpe is in a Sydney hospital fighting a “serious” infection and is unlikely to swim competitively again, his manager told Australian media late on Tuesday.
The five-times Olympic champion had contracted “two bugs” after undertaking a series of shoulder surgeries, manager James Erskine told Australian Associated Press.
“It’s serious but it’s not lifethreatening,” Erskine said.
“He’s quite sick but that’s the situation ... From a competitive point of view - he will not be swimming competitively again, I don’t think.”
The 31-year-old was being treated with large doses of antibiotics, state broadcaster ABC reported Nicknamed Thorpedo, Australian swimming legend Ian Thorpe (pic) got positive coverage from the media for his stupendous achievements at Sydney Olympics in 2000 and Athens in 2004.
Things took a drastic turn once the media started hounding him with questions over his sexuality. The attention continued even after he retired from swimming in 2006, somewhat prematurely at the age of 24.
Australia’s most decorated swimmer with five Olympic and 11 world championship gold medals, Thorpe was admitted to hospital earlier this year to treat depression after he was found disoriented in Sydney earlier on its website (www.abc. net.au).
Erskine said Thorpe had undertaken “two or three” operations on his troublesome left shoulder in the past two months, and suggested the injury, rather than the infection, would force Thorpe from the pool.
“The shoulder operation was a major operation, he’s got as many plates as Barry Sheene,” Erskine said, referring to the late British motorcycling champion.
Erskine had denied earlier Australian media reports that Thorpe might lose the use of his arm because of the infections, AAP said.
The agency added that the swimmer had received a number of visitors at hospital and was said to be in “good spirits”.
Thorpe’s management was not available for comment. In his 2012 autobiography “This is Me”, Thorpe revealed of a near decade-long battle with depression, including suicidal thoughts and regular alcohol abuse.
Though frustrated by injury setbacks and a failed attempt to qualify for 2012 London Olympics, Thorpe last year told local media he had not ruled out a bid for the 2016 Games in Rio.