sidelined

“I only hoped that I wanted to swim half as much as other people want me to.”

So a glittering swimming career ends, at the tender age of 24. As Thorpe has apparently said, ‘I’m a 24 year old, and I’m only just 24 as well.’ I guess it’s a ripe old age if one has been breaking world records since the age of 15, especially if one has not had the chance to do things other 24 year olds can do, such as making mistakes and getting a life. I can understand the public wanting him to go on, because swimmers are in their prime in their mid-20s. Kieran Perkins won gold at the age of 24, and was still competing at the Olympics until the age of 28, although he was beaten then, by Grant Hackett. With Thorpe’s retirement Hackett is the only big man of Australian swimming still standing, and that feels like a dreadful loss. But he’s right to bow out now. There’s no point trying to compete when the motivation is gone. How many of us have the good fortune to be able to say ‘I’m done’, and choose the time to stand down?

I’m sure we’ve not lost him altogether. It’s going to be really interesting to watch this beautiful young man take on the rest of his life. I have long held the opinion that those who excel at sport do so not just because of their physical attributes and talents, but because of their intelligence and character. Thorpe has modelled, done the celebrity party circuit and promoted jewellery and many other things that himbos in their early 20s do so well. But, while doing that, he’s taken on a range of business activities and has spent a lot of time and money setting up charities for kids, including literacy initiatives for indigenous communities. He seems intent on using his money wisely and well – a leader, not just in the swimming pool.

Update: For more go to SMH, FoxSports and sportal.com.au

Update 2: Clearly Five is a good judge of character, for Premier Iemma has already suggested Thorpe would make a good MP. I believe the Premier’s tongue was firmly planted in his cheek at the time.