Thorpe's team mates say...

Michael Klim: It's so hard to compare sport, I think, in bits you know between now and then, but I'd certainly like to think that he's the greatest so far for Australia.

Australia's head coach, Ian Turner: Most sports have one competitor whose performances far exceed any of their rivals. There is no point trying to work out how to beat Thorpe, because he is so far in front of anyone else.