Olympics: Thorpedo--Still Afloat

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By Devin Gordon

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The Thorpedo has sunk one of his own. After a false-start disqualification at Australia's Olympic trials in March, swimming phenom Ian Thorpe, who won three gold medals at the 2000 Olympics in Sydney, appeared to be foiled in his quest to defend his victory in the 400-meter freestyle, his best event, at the Athens Games in August. His blunder allowed second-place finisher Craig Stevens to snag an Olympics berth. It also sparked a firestorm in Oz, where swimming is next to godliness and where Thorpe is, accordingly, God. It got so bad that Stevens claimed he was taking sleeping pills to cope with the stress. Maybe he can sleep easier now. Last Monday Stevens went on Aussie TV to announce his withdrawal from the 400. The next day Thorpe was offered the open spot.

Was Stevens just being a loyal teammate? Or did withering pressure from the Aussie press and swimming world leave him with no choice? For once it seems no one is crying foul--including Stevens. Asked on TV if Thorpe had put any heat on him, he replied, "No, none whatsoever. He's not the type to put pressure on anyone. The decision I've made comes from my heart." The $45,000 the TV network paid Stevens for his story might have eased his heartache. But it's hard to argue that Thorpe shouldn't get the chance to race in Athens. He hasn't lost a 400 that he's started cleanly since 1997. He also holds the world record in the event. As for Stevens, he'll swim the 1,500-meter free-style and the 800-meter relay--with Thorpe. In other words, his Olympics dreams still hold water.

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