Mitcham proud to be gay and inspiring Oct 7, 2008
" While he wasn't desperate to cash in on his newfound celebrity, Mitcham was hopeful his success would free him of the "massive financial stress" that so burdened him in the two years leading up to the Beijing Olympics. His manager, though, David Flaskas, has no doubt Mitcham has the star appeal to profit commercially. "The strategy for Matthew will be worked in the same template as it is for Thorpey (Ian Thorpe), Cadel Evans, Leisel (Jones)," Flaskas said. "They all have different challenges,... (Sydney Morning Herald -- Sport)
Same shtick, better outfits Oct 3, 2008
" For The Merrick And Rosso Show, the pair return to their pay TV roots for half-hour instalments filmed in front of a studio audience. Sketches, interviews and audience interaction will be interspersed with guest appearances from Sophie Monk, Ian Thorpe, Ray Martin and more. "We want to be here, we want to be doing this," Watts says. "And we've gotta make sure that's really obvious. It's a fast track to success if you're having fun - not always, but you're certainly unlikely to have success if... (Sydney Morning Herald -- Entertainment)
Thorpe doping defamation case may proceed without defence Sep 22, 2008
Swimming legend Ian Thorpe may apply to have his defamation case against a French newspaper heard in its absence. Thorpe is suing the daily sports newspaper L'Equipe, its publisher, and journalist Damien Ressiot, over an article published in March last year. (Sydney Morning Herald -- Sport)
Thorpedo goes back to school Sep 13, 2008
Australian Ian Thorpe (pic), who retired in 2006 after a career that included five Olympic gold medals, 11 world titles and 13 world records, is a Bachelor of Arts psychology and linguistics student at Macquarie University in Sydney. After dropping out of school as a 14-year-old to focus on his swimming and being home-schooled during his career in the pool, the 25-year-old Thorpe was expected to eventually major in psychology. (The Star Online, Malaysia -- Sports)
One star eclipses the other Sep 6, 2008
Ian Thorpe made millions in sponsorship but spent years avoiding the much-conjectured subject of his sexuality. Mitcham publicly outed himself long before Beijing. (Sydney Morning Herald -- Entertainment)
Thorpe dives into uni Aug 31, 2008
STRESS and anxiety are not states of mind most Australians would associate with Ian Thorpe the swimming legend, but for Ian Thorpe the student they are very real concerns. As the Olympics were unfolding in Beijing, Thorpe was a world away, undertaking studies at Macquarie University. (Sydney Morning Herald -- Sport)
Brian CazeneuveSI IN BEIJING: SWIMMING Aug 28, 2008
In that race, as in this year's four-by-one, Phelps, the team's leadoff leg, cheered and emoted from the pool deck as Keller, a good swimmer without a career-defining moment, outlasted world-record holder Ian Thorpe at the wall. There was no possibility of eight gold medals then, since the U.S. men had already settled for bronze in the 4x100 free, but there was the thrill of winning a team race, a feat Phelps has always described as being more satisfying than winning on his own. (SportsIllustrated.CNN -- More)
Rwanda: Disgrace in Beijing Aug 26, 2008
That basically means you can recruit anyone off the streets and send them to compete against the likes of the US's Michael Phelps, or the other superstar before him, Australia's Ian Thorpe. Page 1 of 2. (allAfrica.com)
Thorpe submits drug test defence Aug 23, 2008
Olympic champion Ian Thorpe has given his final submission to the Australian Sports Anti-Doping Authority (ASADA) in an attempt to clear his name ... "ASADA can confirm on Wednesday 16 August it received the full and final submissions from Ian Thorpe into the matter of his unusual testosterone, epitestosterone and luteinizing hormone levels," the statement read. (Yahoo News -- Swimming)
Aussies will struggle at Olympics Aug 23, 2008
Perkins also took the opportunity to slam the Australian Sports Anti-Doping Authority (ASADA) for yesterday going public with the drug claims surrounding our greatest Olympian Ian Thorpe. "The whole thing shouldn't have been made public in the first place and I feel horrible for Ian and the position he's been put in," Perkins said. (Yahoo News -- Swimming)
Phelps 'enjoying the ride' as he leaves Beijing Aug 21, 2008
Aussie Olympic great Ian Thorpe has noticed a change in Phelps, too. "It sounds really cliched but it's true, he's really grown as a human being," Thorpe said about his former rival. (MSNBC -- Sports)
'Greatest Olympian' Phelps remembers Singapore Aug 21, 2008
Thursday, August 21, 2008. " onclick="Next();" src="/images/butt_next. (Channelnewsasia.com)
Our million dollar water babe Aug 18, 2008
High profile celebrity agent Max Markson has predicted Rice has the potential to be the "next Ian Thorpe" with regards to earning potential out of the pool. Rice ticks all the boxes for potential sponsors. (Sydney Morning Herald -- Business)
A shining feat, a golden future Aug 17, 2008
Australian legend Ian Thorpe stated that flatly before the Athens Games and repeated it this time. "I saw so many quotes saying that it was impossible to duplicate it, that it won't happen," said Phelps, who would have won eight golds at last year's world championships if one of his teammates hadn't false-started in the preliminaries of the medley relay. (Boston Globe)
Abrahamson: Phelps shows flair for dramatic Aug 16, 2008
"Anything is possible. "I saw so many quotes saying it's impossible to duplicate it, it won't happen," a reference to observations before the 2008 Games from the likes of now-retired Australian swim star Ian Thorpe that Phelps could not tie Spitz's mark. "It just shows you that, really, anything can happen. " This race, the 16th of 17 swims on Phelps' agenda here in Beijing, always figured -- along with the 4x100m free relay earlier in the week -- to be among the toughest for Phelps at these... (MSNBC)
Six down, two to go Aug 16, 2008
BEIJING Former Australian swimmer Ian Thorpe was on Chinese television the other day talking about Michael Phelps, the U.S. swimmer whose last Olympic loss was against the Thorpedo at the Athens Games in 2004. Thorpe spoke about the challenge of swimming in multiple events, about being under pressure and having to produce on the day of competition. (Globe and Mail -- Technology)
Phelps equals Spitz's record Aug 16, 2008
" One of those who publicly said he doubted Phelps could do it was the man previously considered the greatest ever, Ian Thorpe. Cavic, who had said yesterday he wanted to be remembered as the man who stopped history, was very upset with the finish. The good news for Australia was the Andrew Lauterstein was third in a new national record time of 51.12s. "That was just a great race to be part of, it was an absolute spectacle," he said. "I said yesterday that when you hear Michael Phelps doing his... (Sydney Morning Herald -- Business)
He's in his own world Aug 16, 2008
Nowhere is swimming bigger than in Australia, and Phelps has eclipsed the country's own Ian Thorpe, the "Thorpedo," who won five Olympic gold medals, 11 world titles, and set 13 world records before retiring in 2006. The Australian, a national broadsheet, described Phelps as "the champion who swims in his own galaxy.". (Boston Globe -- Sports)
Silver lining: medal tally on track to meet expectations Aug 15, 2008
The male swimmers, without Athens medal machine Ian Thorpe, are still doing it tough in Beijing. Brenton Rickard would have been pleased with his silver in the 200 breaststroke, but Eamon Sullivan, who does his 50m splash-and-dash tomorrow, was agonisingly edged out of the 100m sprint. (Sydney Morning Herald -- Sport)
Triple treat for Rice as Aussies end US unbeaten run Aug 15, 2008
Rice joined Betty Cuthbert, Shane Gould and Ian Thorpe in equalling the record haul for an Australian at a single Olympics. It's so exciting. (The Star Online, Malaysia -- Sports)
Hackett can do hat-trick: Perkins Aug 15, 2008
World-record holder Hackett will be the focal point of the Australian men's swimming team in China following the retirement of Ian Thorpe and the dip in fortunes of the men's squad. The weight of expectation will rest heavily on the 27-year-old's broad shoulders but Perkins says the China syndrome will play to Hackett's advantage, allowing him to escape the glare of the cameras and focus on the monumental task at hand. (Yahoo News -- Swimming)
Phelps still a small fry in USA Aug 15, 2008
"Michael Phelps will never have one one-hundredth of the renown in the United States that Ian Thorpe has in Australia," said Hersh, who writes for the Los Angeles Times and Chicago Tribune and has covered 14 Winter and Summer Games). "Phelps will still be able walk down most of the main streets in America without people recognising him.". (Sydney Morning Herald -- Business)
DUTCH STAR RETIRES: Van den Hoogenband ends career Aug 14, 2008
Pieter van den Hoogenband, right, shows off his silver medal from the 200m freestyle at the Athens games along with Michael Phelps (bronze) and Ian Thorpe (gold). OLYMPIC SWIMMING. (USA Today -- Sports)
Van Den Hoogenband Announces Retirement From Swimming Aug 14, 2008
(Sports Network) - Pieter van den Hoogenband, the three-time Olympic gold medalist swimmer from the Netherlands known for his battles in the pool with Alexander Popov and Ian Thorpe, retired Thursday. "This is the end of my career," van den Hoogenband said after finishing fifth in the 100-meter freestyle final at the Beijing Olympics. (ABC 7 News, DC)
Indecent disclosure Aug 14, 2008
In March 2007, French newspaper L'Equipe's online edition aired allegations that Australian swimming champion Ian Thorpe was using performance-enhancing drugs while he was competing - allegations that Australian Sports Anti-Doping Authority (ASADA) found to be untrue and international swimming body FINA found to be unjustified. Thorpe launched defamation proceedings in the NSW Supreme Court earlier this month, claiming his reputation had been tarnished. (Sydney Morning Herald -- Technology)
Phelps a typical 23-year-old, until he hits the water Aug 13, 2008
Phelps, only 19 then, finished third on that warm Greek evening behind Ian Thorpe and in what was quickly dubbed the "Race of the Century." Four years later, he has no equal. "I hate to lose," he said. (MSNBC -- Sports)
Vendt, Keller Extend Amazing Trojan Olympic Gold Medal Streak Aug 13, 2008
He previously won gold as the anchor leg during the final of 4x200m free relay in 2004 when he held off Australian great Ian Thorpe at the wall. It was the third and fourth medals already won by a current, former or future Trojan in the 2008 Games. (Pac-10.org)
Phelps claims ninth career gold as US continue to dominate Aug 13, 2008
Phelps improved on the 200m freestyle bronze that he won in Athens behind Australian great Ian Thorpe and Dutch star Pieter van den Hoogenband. In the four years since, Phelps had seized the world record and the world title in the event. (The Star Online, Malaysia -- Sports)
Olympics: Phelps stakes his claim for title of greatest Aug 13, 2008
Spitz and Ian Thorpe both called a halt after two games, discovering life and finding it more diverting than ploughing a monastic lone furrow in dawn-lit pools. Phelps has vowed to continue to London, a four-year gap that he will fill, at a conservative estimate, with 300,000 training laps and countless more world records. (guardian.co.uk)
Phelps domination knows no equal in Beijing Aug 13, 2008
Four years ago in Athens, all he could do was win a bronze in this event in the so-called Race of the Century against Ian Thorpe and Pieter van den Hoogenband. He erased that blemish on his record with a swim so overwhelmingly dominant that it was over before they finished one length of the pool. (Altus Times, OK)
Park: My honor to compete with him Aug 12, 2008
In winning the 200m freestyle, Phelps ran his career Olympic total to nine golds and avenged his only individual loss in Athens four years ago, when a 19-year-old Phelps took on the 200m free just so he could compete with Ian Thorpe and. He touched third that night in what was called the "Race of the Century.". (MSNBC -- Sports)
Greatest American hero? Aug 12, 2008
In Athens, in the 200-meter freestyle, Phelps finished third, behind Ian Thorpe of Australia and of the Netherlands. Going into that Athens 200m, Phelps knew he was likely to get beat -- "the slightest chance in hell to win," he has said. (MSNBC -- Sports)
Phelps takes another gold medal and breaks another world record Aug 12, 2008
Ian Thorpe won that race, and Phelps had to settle for bronze. This time, it was no contest. (Anchorage Daily News)
Phelps, Coughlin and Peirsol add to United States' gold haul Aug 12, 2008
At that Games, he finished third behind Australian superstar Ian Thorpe and Pieter van den Hoogenband, the 2000 Olympic champion. "When I do lose in a race like that, in circumstances like that, it motivates me to try to swim faster," Phelps said. (USA Today -- Sports)
Carl Lewis. Mark Spitz. Michael Phelps. Aug 12, 2008
posted 5:02 am Tue August 12, 2008 - tags: (Sports Network) - So much about Michael Phelps is a numbers game. Stay on top of breaking news. (ABC 7 News, DC)
Phelps' Gold Among Seven U.S. Medal Wins Aug 12, 2008
Stay on top of breaking news. Sign up for ABC 7 News e-mail alerts. (ABC 7 News, DC)
Big help for Phelps Aug 12, 2008
He was on the US 4x100m freestyle squad who settled for bronze in Athens, and he was part of the team who ended up with silver in Sydney in 2000 another memorable relay battle in which Aussie great Ian Thorpe surged past Gary Hall Jr on the final leg. I've been a part of the two teams at the last two Olympics that came out behind. (The Star Online, Malaysia -- Sports)
FARBER: The swim for the ages Aug 12, 2008
American swimmers have had similar success in hunting down formidable big game at Olympics relays, notably Bruce Hayes catching West Germany's Michael Gross in 1984 and Klete Keller rallying and then holding off charging Australia's Ian Thorpe in 2004. Of course, those were in anchor legs of the 4x200 and didn't involve Mr. Phelps, whose snappy 47. (SportsIllustrated.CNN -- More)
Phelps easily moves on in 200 butterfly prelims Aug 12, 2008
He lost to Aussie rival Ian Thorpe and Dutchman Pieter van den Hoogenband in what was billed as the "Race of the Century."Now, Thorpe is retired and van den Hoogenband has dropped the event to focus on the 100 free. A victory would give Phelps his ninth career gold medal, tying him with four others including Spitz and track star Carl Lewis, for most Olympic golds. (News & Observer -- Sports)
Phelps goes 3-for-3 and sets another record Aug 12, 2008
This was the "Race of the Century" at the Athens Games four years ago, when a 19-year-old Phelps took on the 200 free just so he could compete with Ian Thorpe and Pieter van den Hoogenband. He touched third that night. (News & Observer -- Sports)
Pool haul for Phelps, US in Olympic swimming Aug 12, 2008
"Phelps, though, was the biggest favorite on the board after winning the 200 free by more than two seconds at the world meet. Four years ago, this was the race that had cost him the seventh gold, which would have tied Mark Spitz's record, with Phelps coming third behind Australia's Ian Thorpe and Pieter van den Hoogenband of the Netherlands.With Thorpe retired and van den Hoogenband focusing on the 100 free, Phelps is the man now, and he made that clear right from the start. Since he was... (Boston Globe -- Sports)
Olympics: Phelps joins Olympic greats with 9th career gold Aug 12, 2008
" Phelps improved on the 200m free bronze that he won in Athens behind Australian great Ian Thorpe and Dutch star Pieter van den Hoogenband. In the four years since, Phelps had seized the world record and the world title in the event. With the gruelling 400m individual medley safely won in world record time, and a thrilling US triumph over France in the 4x100m free relay, Phelps has said the hardest part of his eight-gold quest is behind him. He was back on the blocks later Tuesday morning in... (Channelnewsasia.com)
Now Folkes to up stumps … howzat ? Aug 11, 2008
"And the Korean leads from Ian Thorpe " - 2GB's Ray Hadley calls the final stages of the men's 400 metres freestyle. Apparently, Grant Hackett was in the mix, too. (Sydney Morning Herald -- Sport)
Showing some heart Aug 11, 2008
The good news for Phelps: Neither of the men who beat him at this distance in 2004, Ian Thorpe of Australia and Pieter van den Hoogenband of the Netherlands, is in the race. MARK ZEIGLER. (San Diego Union-Tribune -- Sports)
Phelps starts strong Aug 11, 2008
He was second four years ago to countryman Ian Thorpe, who won the second of two straight golds in the event. Hackett will get a chance to make up for it in his best event, the 1,500 free. (Albany Times Union)
Phelps To Swim 200 Freestyle Final Aug 11, 2008
Phelps finished third in the 200 free four years ago in Athens, losing to Aussie rival Ian Thorpe and Dutchman Pieter van den Hoogenband in what was billed as the "Race of the Century.". Phelps will also swim in the 400-meter freestyle relay finals with his teammates, after he sat out the qualifying race. (Click2Houston, TX)
Slight fright but Hackett makes it through Aug 10, 2008
Like everyone these days with the price of oil, Hackett only used as much petrol as he needed to, and promised there will be more on offer when he attempts to make it three successive Olympic 400m freestyle titles for Australia, adding to the two Ian Thorpe won in 2000 and 2004. "I knew it was going to be tight, but I didn't want to spend more than I had to spend to get into that final," Hackett said. (Sydney Morning Herald -- Sport)
Park overhauls childhood hero, claims first gold Aug 10, 2008
08 set in 2002 by Australian great Ian Thorpe, who won back-to-back Olympic 400 freestyle titles in 2000 and 2004. Hackett got silver in Athens. (The Star Online, Malaysia -- Sports)
With silver, Torres sets age record for medalist Aug 10, 2008
Dara Torres in the women's 4x100-meter freestyle relay swimming final on Sunday. (David Gray/Reuters). (International Herald Tribune)
Creature from the deep Aug 10, 2008
Conversely, former Australian ace Ian Thorpe, whose size-17 feet helped make him a great swimmer, too, has wished Phelps the best, but doesn't believe he'll win all his events. "He won't do it," Thorpe has said of Phelps. (Globe and Mail)
Phelps is certain to make a splash Aug 9, 2008
What motivates him most are the races he's not likely to win, like the 200 free in Athens, where Phelps took on Ian Thorpe and Pieter van den Hoogenband and finished third. "I knew it would be a very, very tough race to win, but I didn't care," Phelps said. (Boston Globe)
Pope puts blinkers on Hackett Aug 9, 2008
Swimming - Sports - Olympics - smh. The Sydney Morning Herald: national, world, business, entertainment, sport and technology news from Australia's leading newspaper. (Sydney Morning Herald -- Sport)
Phelps quest for Olympic greatness starts with 400m IM Aug 9, 2008
It's my understanding that Park says he's going to swim under the world record, and if he intends to do that he's got a very good shot (at gold), said Hackett, but the Aussie added he thought the world mark of now-retired Ian Thorpe was a difficult target. I think we're still a little bit away from it. (The Star Online, Malaysia -- Sports)
Phelps begins his quest Aug 9, 2008
" Australian Libby Trickett opens her five-event campaign in the 100m butterfly, with team-mate Jessicah Schipper one of the biggest threats to the world champion, who will also swim the 50m and 100m free as she seeks a first individual Olympic gold. Grant Hackett, his sights on a historic third straight Olympic 1500m freestyle title, will warm up for his signature event by tackling teenage South Korean sensation Park Tae-Hwan in the 400m freestyle. "It's my understanding that Park says he's... (iAfrica.com)
Olympics SPort by Sports Aug 8, 2008
What to look for: In Athens, this was the only individual gold medal Phelps didn't collect, coming in third behind Ian Thorpe and Pieter van den Hoogenband ... 08, Ian Thorpe, Australia (2002) ... What to look for: The US had to go to the wall to beat Australia in Athens, with Keller touching out Ian Thorpe. (Boston Globe)
Hoogie again primed to crash the party Aug 8, 2008
In Sydney in 2000, everyone was anticipating an Ian Thorpe victory in the 200m freestyle. Hoogie arrived and left with the gold. (Sydney Morning Herald -- Sport)
Phelps' gold quest Aug 8, 2008
There are plenty of people, including retired Australian freestyle great Ian Thorpe, who don't think Phelps can pull it off. Thorpe repeated his opinion a few days ago. (AZCentral -- Sports)
Former rival laps Canada in the pool Aug 8, 2008
The Aussies have become an established world power in swimming, battling with the Americans in such glamour events as the men's 4x100-metre freestyle relay while creating a bevy of iconic stars Grant Hackett, Kieren Perkins and the Thorpedo, Ian Thorpe. Swimmers attend a practice session at the National Aquatics Centre, also known as the Water Cube, ahead of the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games August 7, 2008. (Globe and Mail -- Sports)
Unlike rest of us, Phelps isn't dazzled by pieces of eight Aug 7, 2008
I knew it was going to be a very, very tough race to win, but I didn't care, I wanted to swim it, I wanted to race in it and that's what I did and I felt successful being able to do a best time and being only a few tenths outside a gold medal [he finished third behind Ian Thorpe. " He may not have been looking at Spitz's record, but the world was in Athens and will again in Beijing. Had it not been for Phelps, American broadcaster NBC would not have asked the IOC to rearrange the schedule to... (Sydney Morning Herald -- Sport)
High achievers very low-key about US Aug 6, 2008
For a country of 20 million people, Australia has a proud tradition of punching above its weight from the 1990s and early 2000s when the likes of Ian Thorpe, Hackett, Michael Klim and Susie O'Neill, among many others, led the world. The team that arrived in Beijing on the weekend comes into the Olympic Games with the greatest expectations of any in the sport's history in this country. (Sydney Morning Herald -- Sport)
Defiant Hackett says evolution of swimsuit design necessary for thesport Aug 6, 2008
One world record that has survived throughout the onslaught has been Ian Thorpe's 400m freestyle mark, the 3min 40 ... "The reason it's been such a good world record is because it was set by Ian Thorpe who is a phenomenal swimmer and it's a tough record and I think we're still a little bit away from it. But we'll just have to see what will happen. "Park [is] a very good competitor, he's a current world champion and I'm looking forward to racing him and giving him a good race, as will the other... (Sydney Morning Herald -- Sport)
Thorpe submits drug test defence Aug 6, 2008
Olympic champion Ian Thorpe has given his final submission to the Australian Sports Anti-Doping Authority (ASADA) in an attempt to clear his name ... "ASADA can confirm on Wednesday 16 August it received the full and final submissions from Ian Thorpe into the matter of his unusual testosterone, epitestosterone and luteinizing hormone levels," the statement read. (Yahoo News -- Swimming)
Aussies will struggle at Olympics Aug 6, 2008
Perkins also took the opportunity to slam the Australian Sports Anti-Doping Authority (ASADA) for yesterday going public with the drug claims surrounding our greatest Olympian Ian Thorpe. "The whole thing shouldn't have been made public in the first place and I feel horrible for Ian and the position he's been put in," Perkins said. (Yahoo News -- Swimming)
Ready, set, eat Aug 5, 2008
" In Athens, Leahy was doing 6am starts and 12-hour days, six days a week - although he did get the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to see Ian Thorpe win a gold medal. Generally there's very little leisure time for the Games catering staff but not only is the pay excellent, Leahy says the whole experience is hugely rewarding. "It's such a buzz and such an adrenaline rush, that just drives us through," he says. "It's a great feeling. If it goes wrong - well, it can't go wrong, simple as that. (Sydney Morning Herald -- Entertainment)
* Sport Briefs Aug 5, 2008
Five-time Olympic swimming champion Ian Thorpe has decided to pursue legal proceedings against a French newspaper and journalist he alleges defamed him by publishing claims he used performance-enhancing drugs. A story written by Damien Ressiot and published by the daily sports newspaper LEquipe in March last year reported that Thorpe gave a urine sample in 2006 that showed abnormal levels of testosterone. (Taipei Times, Taiwan -- World)
