Asia-Pacific News
Thorpe qualifies with sixth-fastest time in Singapore comeback
Nov 4, 2011, 4:50 GMT
Singapore - Australian swimming great Ian Thorpe on Friday morning finished with the sixth-fastest time in the heats of the 100m individual medley in Singapore in his first in five years.
A time of 56.74 seconds was enough for the 29-year-old Thorpe to qualify for the final of the Singapore short-course World Cup set for later Friday.
The Australian, nicknamed Thorpedo, retired in 2006 after winning five Olympic gold medals and 11 world titles. But in February he announced his return to the pool to prepare for next year's London Olympics.
Thorpe finished second Friday in his heat behind Colombian Pinzon Omar who clocked 55.81 seconds. Australian Markus Rogan was the fastest qualifier with 55.25 seconds.
Thorpe will also start in the 100m butterfly on Saturday, but he chose not to compete in his pet freestyle events.
He also plans to compete at the World Cup in Beijing next week and in Tokyo a few days later.
Read more about Singapore
Read more about Swimming Australia
