Ian Thorpe’s transformation has been so impressive that his coach believes he can be better then ever

 

In two months of intensive training under Gennadi Touretski in Switzerland, Ian Thorpe’s coach believes he can be better than ever.

Touretski, who is attending a national training camp on the Gold Coast this week, confirmed Thorpe was almost back to his racing weight at the 2004 Olympic Games (98kg) and “looks brilliant”.

“When it comes to his fitness level, we followed a very simple structure of optimum swimming, then (dry-land) fitness training four times a week and a lot of walking,” Touretski said. ”Of course he lost weight and he’s near the same as he was in 2004.”

Touretski said Thorpe’s body composition was now well within the range of an elite athlete, just three months after he came out of a five-year retirement. ”His percentage of fat is 10.7, which is nothing at all. He’s in a good stage because his process is positive,” he said. Touretski confirmed Thorpe was on track to return to competition as soon as he is eligible to race in November, after serving nine months back on the international federation’s drug-testing register.

The coach nominated the Singapore World Cup meet, a short-course event on November 4-5, as Thorpe’s likely comeback. When Thorpe announced his return in February, he said he wanted to concentrate on the 100m freestyle, mainly to bolster the 4x100m freestyle relay team at next year’s Olympics.

But Touretski warned that becoming a sprinter would be a bigger challenge for the five-time Olympic champion than returning to his pet 200m and 400m events. ”In his performances in the 400m or 200m, I think he can be faster than before with the right training, but when it comes to the 100m he must do extra things,” Touretski said.

“His preparation must be a little bit different. His ability to accelerate must be improved. His technique on the start needs to be completely different from his natural abilities. ”He can do it. I am working with him like a sculptor. I have a very clear image of him and I can see him doing it. He has enough physical power and mental power to compete in the event.”

Touretski said Thorpe’s age (28) would also be an advantage in his second coming as a sprinter. ”He must use the benefits of his age,” Touretski said. “At this age he’s a man. Ten years ago he looked like a man but he was not as strong.”

There has been no decision on whether Thorpe will also return to the 200m freestyle. ”I think everything depends on what distance he will prepare for as his main performance, where his interest will be,” Touretski said. ”I understand (competing in the 200m) will be in the interests of the team because he could compete in three relays.”

Touretski is also working with other national team swimmers under an agreement between the Australian and Swiss associations. He has spent the past week advising the male 200m freestylers at a training camp on the Gold Coast and said the Australian 4x200m freestyle team (which he guided to the 2000 Olympic gold medal) could be a force again at this year’s world titles, even without Thorpe.

By Nicole Jeffery, The Australian.

May 06, 2011 9:11AM