The Freestyle events [400m, 4x100m, 200m, 4x200m, 100m, 4x100m medley] have long been his preserve but now he is turning his attention to the Backstroke [100m] too.

Thorpe was a junior national champion in Backstroke and finished second at the Australian senior titles this year but the man he has to beat is Australia's world champion Matt Welsh.

If Thorpe does not lose his interest in sport. He will undoubtedly set records that will take some breaking. "I'll continue swimming while I continue to enjoy swimming." A true champ indeed.

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