01.18 pm, Wednesday February 10 2010

Thorpe retires from swimming

Tuesday, November 21, 2006
Nine
VIEWS: 0
| FLOCKS: 0
| comments0 comments so far

By ninemsn staff and wires

Australia's greatest-ever swimmer Ian Thorpe has quit, announcing in a press conference his intention to withdraw from professional competition.

In a prepared statement to the packed conference, Thorpe said his battle with sickness and the revelation that there was more to life than swimming had led to his decision.

That revelation had come after his recovery and return to fitness.

"As I got fit, my mind got fit, and I started asking questions," he said. "'What's the relevance of swimming to my life, what would my life be like without swimming?'"

"I haven't balanced out my life as well as what I should have," he said.

Although the 24-year-old said he felt intense pressure to continue swimming, that pressure was coming from others, not from himself.

"It would be dishonest to myself, and to everyone else, if I were to continue on that basis," he said. "I've reached all the dizzy heights of this sport — for all of that I'm extremely appreciative."

Thorpe is regarded as one of the greatest swimmers of all time after winning 11 world titles, five Olympic gold medals and setting 13 individual long-course world records.

When asked whether a comeback was possible, the Olympic champion was dismissive.

"I don't see myself competing again, it won't happen. I won't rule anything out, I never rule anything out, but it just won't happen."

He did not want to reveal his future plans.

Of his decision, Thorpe said: "It's emotional because I see my entire swimming career flash before my eyes.

"I've had a great career. It isn't the best time to be walking away from the sport but it's my time."

Meanwhile, Prime Minister John Howard wished Ian Thorpe well for his life after swimming, describing the Olympian as a remarkable athlete and a good bloke.

"His retirement is an enormous loss to Australian swimming but it's tough, he started early, all swimmers do," he told reporters ahead of his departure from Vietnam.

"Millions of Australians will remember his wonderful individual performances."

Nine News sources revealed that earlier in the day, the Olympic legend had begun the day that would be his last as a professional swimmer in the water — surfing at Cronulla.

 
SHARE:
MESSENGER
FACEBOOK
MORE
Blog on Spaces
Add to delicious
Add to Digg
Share on MySpace
?
Share, bookmark, and save your favourite ninemsn articles and features.  Learn more.

Most popular

 US man 'raped kidnapped girl 100 times'A US man has been accused of raping a 13-year-old girl more than 100 times in a six-month kidnapping ordeal.
 Explosion at grammar college in SydneyA man has been airlifted to hospital with 60 per cent burns to his body following a gas explosion at an Islamic school in Sydney's southwest.
 Snowboarders caught in massive avalancheThe horrifying moment three snowboarders were engulfed in a massive avalanche in Italy has been captured on amateur camera.
 Federline shows off bulging belly for TVKevin Federline has been filmed in boxer shorts with a bulging belly on the set of US reality TV show Celebrity Fit Club.
 NZ SPCA stops live lobster arcade gameAn arcade game that allows punters to pluck a live lobster from a tank using a metal claw has been shut down by Auckland's animal protection authorities.
 Man denies punching toddler sonA Queensland man accused of punching his two-year-old son in the stomach and rupturing his bowel claims the boy hurt himself playing with his sister.
 Man falls from rooftop poolA young man plummeted two floors when he fell over a rooftop railing after an early morning swim, police say.
 Gang member, 19, arrested over shootingA 19-year-old member of an outlawed gang has been arrested over the shooting up of the home of a western Sydney man and killing him.
 Salt-n-Pepa less keen to talk about sexWhat happens when one member of a group famed for raunchy songs like Push It and Let's Talk About Sex finds god?
 Diggers to wear combat material made in ChinaCost-cutting by the Australian Defence Force will see diggers sent into combat wearing camouflage material made in China.
AC/DC Lane in Melbourne. (Sean Cusick, ninemsn)AC/DC shrine PHOTOS: Fans to lure rock legends to Melbourne laneway. Page 3 model Rhian Sugden. (Getty Images)'Too explicit'Married UK TV host admits racy tweet with famous model. Salt-n-Pepa members.Less spicySalt-n-Pepa not keen to talk about sex during Australia tour. The man, named as Evans Monsigrace, told doctors at a University of Miami field hospital in Port-au-Prince that he had been buried by the quake while cooking rice.Survival mysteryA Haitian man allegedly survived 27 days buried in rubble. Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt. (AAP)Stars strike backAngelina Jolie and Brad Pitt sue tabloid over divorce report. A snowman almost killed a toddler on holiday. (AAP - file)Holiday horrorBritish toddler crushed by giant snowman lucky to be alive.
advertisement
Mass recall Toyota is pulling from the road Priuses sold in Australia since July 2009 ... read more Made in China Cost-cutting will see diggers sent into combat wearing material made overseas ... read more 'Still in its jaws' Searchers shoot dead alligator that killed an 11-year-old girl in northern Brazil ... read more Behind the scenes Peter Overton takes us on a tour of the brand new Nine News studio ... watch more Jackson charges Michael Jackson's doctor charged with involuntary manslaughter over the pop star's death ... read more Soft drink cancer link People drinking two sugary soft drinks a day have increased risk of pancreatic cancer ... read more Become a Nine News breaker Seen or heard something? Send tip-offs, images and video from your mobile or PC ... contact us
Runaway teen's ordealUS man accused of raping kidnapped girl 100 times, forcing her to babysit
You need the latest version of Flash Player.
Enjoy the most vivid content on the web
Watch video without extra features
Interact with applications on your favourite sites
Upgrade now

page complete
Other ninemsn businesses: iSelect RateCity
© 1997-2010 ninemsn Pty Ltd - All rights reserved