OLYMPIC MEDALLISTS PAY TRIBUTE TO THORPE
The 24year-old, five-time Olympic Champion, holder of 11
World titles, 10 Commonwealth titles and 13 World Records
told a Sydney press conference that he no longer felt the
same inspiration to achieve in the pool and was retiring to
pursue other goals within his life.
Thorpe has been an inspiration to young swimmers the world
over and Britain's David Davies, a 1500m Freestyle bronze
medallist at the Athens Olympics, was no exception.
The City of Cardiff swimmer competed against Thorpe at the
Manchester 2002 Commonwealth Games in the 400m Freestyle as
a 17-year-old in his first international event but it was
a meeting that left a lasting impression on Davies.
"It's a shame Ian's left the sport but he has done so
much for swimming and that's what we should remember,"
said Davies. "I hope people do not change their opinions
of him. He's a swimming legend and his career should be celebrated.
"It seems as though his announcement has been based
on a motivational decision. We've got to remember that he
has won everything there is to win within the sport. When
you've achieved what he has, and I can only imagine, but it
must be hard to stay motivated."
Atlanta Olympic bronze medallist Graeme Smith also paid tribute
to the athlete he regards as one of the greats across all
sports.
Smith, who retired from swimming after the Athens Olympics,
competed against Thorpe at the 2001 and 2003 World Championships
as well as the 2004 Commonwealth Games in Manchester.
"Ian is and will always remain a tremendous ambassador
for the sport," said Smith. "He's truly just one
of a handful of special individuals that have raised the profile
of their sports to the highest degree in the same way Tiger
Woods has for golf.
"He was a joy to watch in the pool and always made breaking
world records and winning Olympic and World titles look so
effortless.
"The duels that Ian and the likes of Grant Hackett,
Pieter van den Hoogenband and Michael Phelps enjoyed will
be missed in Melbourne at next year's World Championships
and at the Beijing Olympics in 2008 but I agree with his decision
to move on in life.
"If you're not 100% committed to swimming you won't
get the rewards you're expecting. It's a sport that demands
your total focus and absolute passion to be successful.
"I hope people respect his decision to lead a more normal
life and personally I wish him all the best for the future."
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