level 12
September 23, 2011

Australian five-time Olympic champion Ian Thorpe will return to the pool at the World Cup meet in Singapore in November.Swimming Australia announced the former 200m and 400m world record holder Thorpe would make his long-awaited comeback to competition, after the 28-year-old announced he would come out of retirement in February.
Thorpe is scheduled to compete in the Cup series events in Singapore, Beijing and Tokyo in November, as part of his preparation to qualify for the London Olympics next year.
The Sydney-born champion retired in 2006 after hitting the headlines as a teenage prodigy, but after a long layoff, Thorpe never fully lost his competitive desire, and he said he is thrilled to be back.
'I'm excited about being part of an Australian swim team again after all these years,' Thorpe said.
'The reality for me is I'm now at the next stage of my preparation and getting ready to race competitively, and I'm really looking forward to catching up with everyone in Singapore.'
Joining Thorpe in an encore career performance will be Libby Trickett (nee Lenton), who is aiming to defend her Olympic crowns in the 100m butterfly and 4x100m medley.
Head coach Leigh Nugent said the presence of Thorpe and Trickett in Singapore was the first step in their journey to London.
'These meets will provide them with their first opportunity to race internationally and officially start their race preparation for next year's Australian Championships and Olympic selection trials in Adelaide,' Nugent said.
'I know both athletes have been working hard since making their intentions clear about returning to the competition pool.'