Ian Thorpe returns to Australia 10 days before the biggest test of his swimming career
March 06, 2012
THE Thorpedo has landed and the countdown has begun to see if he will hit his Olympic target or crash and burn. Ian Thorpe last night arrived back in Australia, slipping back into the country via Perth with just 10 days to go until the biggest test of his swimming career.
Australia's greatest Olympian was greeted at the airport by head swim coach Leigh Nugent and will spend the next few days hiding out in Perth as he continues to taper for the Olympic trials away from the glare of the media.
Thorpe's arrival details were a closely guarded secret but The Daily Telegraph was on hand to capture the moment the 29-year-old stepped back on Australian soil to face his destiny.
Thorpe announced his comeback to swimming on February 2 last year and in the 13 months since he has quietly plotted for a triumphant return with training camps in the Middle East and his European base in Switzerland. Start of sidebar. Skip to end of sidebar. End of sidebar. Return to start of sidebar.
The world has caught glimpses of his racing with swims in Riccione, Melbourne and Zurich, where his times have been less than flattering and cast doubt over his ability to qualify for the Australian Olympic team for the London Games.