Posted on 03/06/2006 9:24:42 PM PST by Aussie Dasher
IAN Thorpe has pulled out of the Melbourne Commonwealth Games because of illness.
The five-time Olympic gold medallist has been suffering from a mystery illness after coming down with a severe bout of bronchitis last month.
Speaking today in Sydney - his voice rasping - Thorpe said he had suffered from bronchitis which had run him down and led to sinus problems and flu symptoms. Precisely what is wrong with him remains a mystery, however.
"All I know is that I have taken more pills than ever before in my life in an attempt to get over this," a weak-looking Thorpe said.
"It is very frustrating, it is very disappointing that I cannot be part of the team competing in Melbourne."
Thorpe revealed he had been training this week, but felt after a session last night that he was not going to be in andequate shape to compete to his full potential.
"I'm gong to be of very little or any benefit to the team," Thorpe added.
"It's not worthwhile being in that position."
Thorpe was a major drawcard for the Games starting next week and his absence is a damaging double blow following fellow Australian swimming ace Grant Hackett's decision to sit out after shoulder surgery.
Swimming Australia head coach Alan Thompson said Thorpe had informed him of his decison to withdraw at 7pm yesterday.
Craig Stevens, initially left out of the team, has been called in as Thorpe's replacement and will swim the 400m and 1500m freestyle at the Games, subject to the approval of the Commonwealth Games Federation.
Thorpe's withdrawal means he'll remain equal with the retired Susie O'Neill as Australia's most successful Commonwealth Games athletes.
They have both won 10 gold medals with Thorpe having collected four at the 1998 Kuala Lumpur Games and six at the 2002 Manchester Games.
Thorpe has strongly hinted in the past he will retire following the 2008 Beijing Olympics, meaning he might never compete at another Commonwealth Games with the New Delhi Games not until 2010.
The Melbourne meet was meant to be Thorpe's first major international competition since the 2004 Athens Olympics.
Thorpe's withdrawal is certain to expose Australia's lack of depth in the men's freestyle events, with the middle distance master having been the favourite for the 200m event and a major part of the three men's relays.
His clash with South Africans Roland Schoeman and Ryk Neethling in the 100m was going to be one of the highlights of the meet but his absence means Australia is unlikely to win a gold medal in the men's freestyle program.
The coach of South Africa swimming star Ryk Neethling, Dean Price, suggested today that Thorpe was "faking" his illness to throw a psychological spanner in the works of his rivals, but it appears the cheeky assessment was way off the mark.
Thorpe, Australia's most decorated Olympian, has endured blood tests for glandular fever, whooping cough and chronic fatigue syndrome in recent days in an attempt to pinpoint exactly what has been affecting his health.
Thorpe had initially diagnosed as having bronchitis and was until today thought to be on the road to recover.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.