Thorpe fails to make a splash

FIVE-time Olympic champion Ian Thorpe finished a disappointing seventh in the final of the 100 metres individual medley in a World Cup event in Singapore yesterday on a tough first day back in competition after five years away.

By The Newsroom

Published 5th Nov 2011, 02:57 BST

The 29-year-old Australian, who hopes to swim at next year’s Olympics, started well in the butterfly before losing ground on the backstroke and struggling in the breaststroke as he finished second-last.

South African Chad Le Clos, 19, won the race in 53.06 seconds, with Thorpe three-and-a-half seconds back in one of the worst results of his illustrious career. Despite the result, he was confident of performing well in the Olympic trials. “I think I’ll be ready in time for March,” he said.