October 20, 2011
Swimming legend Ian Thorpe admits failing is a real possibility as he dreams of gold at London 2012.
The 29-year-old Australian is set to make a return after five years away from competitive swimming at the Singapore World Cup and is training hard in Switzerland with Gennadi Touretski as he looks to rediscover his form.
He told BBC Sport he has the "best sprint freestyle coach in the world" but accepts he may have timed his comeback wrong, giving him too short a time to claim a medal at next summer's Olympics.
"I'm more concerned about [being really successful] because that's what I'm not prepared for," added the five-time Olympic gold medallist.
"I'm more comfortable knowing that, chances are, I'm going to fail at this. I've become comfortable with that."
He stated: "My goal at the start - and this will remain my goal through the Olympics - was to be able to swim faster than I used to.
"If at any stage I didn't think I could do that, I don't know if I'd continue."