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Thorpe remains sick ahead of Commonwealth Games
(China Daily)
Updated: 2006-03-03 06:50
SYDNEY: Australian swimmer Ian Thorpe is struggling to shake off a bout of
illness that has disrupted his preparations for this month's Commonwealth Games.
Thorpe is due to compete in five events in Melbourne but has been unable to
train for the past fortnight after contracting bronchitis.
The swimmer has been unable to take drugs that could help clear up the
problem because the medication is on the banned list and has been undergoing
further tests to determine if he is suffering from other health problems,
including chronic fatigue syndrome.
His manager Dave Flaskas told Australian media on Thursday that Thorpe was
still hopeful of competing at the Games but may have to cut back on his
programme.
Thorpe was planning to swim the 100 metres and 200m freestyle and three
relays.
He won four gold medals at the 1998 Commonwealth Games and a further six in
Manchester four years ago and needs just one more to become the most successful
athlete in Commonwealth Games history.
"We haven't got a lot of time but I think what it now probably entails is a
review of his programme," Flaskas said.
"Ian is really desperate to swim at these Games so we're trying to be as
positive as possible.
"It's knocked him around because he hasn't been able to train flat out for a
couple of weeks," Flaskas added
Flaskas said Thorpe had raced in the past when he was feeling ill and he was
hopeful he would still be able to perform well at the Melbourne Games, which run
from March 15-26.
"He's raced through problems before but obviously it's not a great
preparation," he said.
"He hasn't progressed as well as everyone has hoped over the last week.
"We're hoping over the next 48 hours things improve but it is a real concern
at the moment and is being closely monitored by doctors."
(China Daily 03/03/2006 page15)
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