Swimming greats Mark Spitz and Dawn Fraser believe what Ian Thorpe brings to the Australian Olympic team out of the pool could be as important as how he performs in it.
Spitz and Fraser said the five-time Olympic champion could be a reassuring presence at the London Games for his younger team-mates.
But first Thorpe, who spent five years out of competition, has to qualify for London at next month’s Olympic trials in Adelaide starting on March 15.
On current form, his best chance of making the team appears to be for the 4x200m relay with Australia normally selecting the top six swimmers in the event.
Fraser said Thorpe could be an inspiration for his compatriots at the Olympics, starting on July 27.
“Maturity, he is a very mature young man we have got a couple of 15-year-old kids that could make the team and they need someone to guide them,” she said before Monday night’s Laureus Awards in London.
“It inspires the team. Inspiration is something you thrive on.”
Spitz, who himself made a comeback nearly two decades after winning seven gold medals at the 1972 Munich Games, said Thorpe’s status in the sport could be invaluable for Australia on the pool deck.
“Absolutely, he is an inspiration for those who looked up to him when he was in his formidable years,” Spitz said.
“He can add a lot of calm if that is necessary, bring together a team to be really competitive in any environment.
“For him to make the relay really is going to be a monumental task because he has to be in the top four in his country.
“That is not going to be easy.”
Spitz predicted 14-time Olympic champion Michael Phelps to win at least five more gold medals in the pool in the 100m butterfly, 200m butterfly, 200m freestyle, 4x100m medley relay and 4x200m relay.
He was not so certain about the men’s 4x100m relay with world champions Australia and France expected to provide serious competition.
Fellow American Ryan Lochte clipped Phelps’ wings at last year’s world titles in Shanghai by beating him in the 200m freestyle and 200m medley.
But Spitz thought that Phelps was deliberately holding a bit in reserve for this year.
“I think part of that was an illusion to distract his competitors,” he said.
