Thorpe's Mystery Illness

THE Commonwealth Games was in danger of losing one of its star attractions yesterday as Ian Thorpe underwent further examination to determine whether a mystery illness will force him to postpone his first international championship appearance since he became double Olympic champion in Athens.
Thorpe, 23, has been tested for chronic fatigue syndrome, glandular fever and whooping cough as doctors search for the cause of bronchitis-like symptoms that the swimmer has been unable to shake off for more than two weeks. He is unable to take certain drugs that might otherwise be prescribed because they are on the list of banned substances. Plans are being made to provide Thorpe with a separate changing-room, should he decide to race.

That decision will not have to be made until the eve of competition in Melbourne, Alan Thompson, head coach to Australia, said yesterday.

Action gets under way in the pool on March 16, when Thorpe is due to race in the first of five events, the 4 x 100 metres freestyle relay. The next day he is due to meet England’s United States-based Simon Burnett and his University of Arizona team-mate, Ryk Neethling, of South Africa, over 200 metres freestyle.

While Thorpe’s world record is a league ahead of rivals, a below-par performance against Burnett at his best could result in the biggest upset of the Games. Burnett’s present form will not have escaped Australian eyes: yesterday, at the Pac-10 Collegiate Championships in Washington, he equalled the 20-year-old event record over 200 yards that had stood to Matt Biondi, the five-times Olympic champion.

Burnett, who would “rather have Thorpe in the race than not”, has been given special dispensation of his own: Britain No 1 over 50, 100 and 200 metres freestyle, he will miss the shortest race in Melbourne because he must return to the US to race for the Wildcats at the NCAA Championships in Atlanta from March 23 to 25.

Ranked No 2 in the Commonwealth over 50 metres this season, Burnett’s early departure may cost England a medal. “It’s a big year for England and for the college that pays my way,” Burnett said. “I get $23,000 (about £13,000) of support a year from them. I’m also grateful for the support I get in Britain. I want to do a good job for both. Both understand that.”

(Source:TimesOnline.com)