Ian Thorpe confirmed what had been suspected when he announced his retirement from swimming at a press conference in Sydney overnight. The 24 year old cited a lack of motivation and a desire to move on with his life as the main reasons for his decision to end a career that has brought him 5 Olympic gold medals and a host of world records.
“It was a tough decision, but one that I’m very pleased that I’ve made, and I’ve been working towards this decision for quite some time” he said “I’m a 24-year-old, and only just 24 as well. I’m young enough to still see the new challenges, and be able to accept them within my life. But I’m also old enough now to realise all of those accomplishments that have got me to this point.
Those accomplishments as legion. From being the youngest ever male world champion at just 15 years old in 1998, he went on to set 17 long course world records of which his 200m and 400m marks form 2001 and 2002 still stand, and a total of 8 Olympic medals. That tally makes him Australia’s most successful Olympian and he will be remembered particularly for his anchor led at the 2000 Olympics where he touched our American Gary Hall Jr for gold in the 4x100m freestyle relay.
Thorpe is now anticipated to pursue a media career and his other business interests.