Ian Thorpe Retires.

[joonage]

Goodbye Thorpedo.

SYDNEY, Australia (AP) - Five-time Olympic champion Ian Thorpe retired from competitive swimming Tuesday at the age of 24, saying breaking records "wasn't as inspiring as it should have been."

Thorpe, who held a news conference at a Sydney hotel, said he decided at "2:53 on Sunday afternoon" not to swim at next year's world championships in Melbourne and to end his pro swimming career.

"It's been a tough decision to make," he said. "I had to pick a time, that was the time. None of my goals included breaking any more world records. I knew how to do it, but it wasn't as inspiring as it should have been."

Speculation swirled for months about whether Thorpe planned to pull out of the world championships or quit the sport entirely. Local media reports predicted Thorpe would pull out of the national trials in Brisbane next month, citing the effects of a recent bout with glandular fever.

Plagued by illness, injury and a lack of motivation, Thorpe hasn't competed in a major international event since the Athens Olympics.

Thorpe burst onto the swimming scene as a teenager and swam to 13 world records between 1999-2002, becoming an international star after dominating at the Sydney Olympics.

"I was catapulted into the international limelight as a kid," he said.

He had to train in California earlier this year to escape the heavy media scrutiny in Australia.

"I've reached all the dizzying heights of this sport," he said. "I've also had a tremendous amount of success. I've also had setbacks — the last round of them sent me to LA where I could focus on what I was doing with fewer distractions than I have here."

Thorpe said his training has gone well in the United States, but he still decided it was time to call it a career.

"It's a very dark question for me. Swimming has been a security blanket," he said. But, "I haven't balanced out my life. I realized I had to prioritize other things and had to let swimming take a back seat - I'm looking at the next phase."

Thorpe and American Michael Phelps are acknowledged as the stars of the sport.

The Australian swimmer, nicknamed "Thorpedo," won the 200- and 400-meter freestyle events at the Athens Olympics.

He planned a yearlong break after Athens, claiming "mental fatigue" and hoping to stay fresh for major competitions down the road.

He later decided not to compete at last year's world championships in Montreal, then dropped out of the Commonwealth Games in March.

Thorpe, who won five Olympic gold medals and 11 world titles, did not entirely rule out a comeback.

"I never rule anything out, but it's not going to happen," he said as more than 100 photographers and reporters packed a hotel conference room for the announcement.

http://msn.foxsports.com/other/story/61929...SO1&ATT=HMA

I know Ian Thorpe hasn't been involved in swimming for a while, but he officially retired today.

Sad to see such a good swimmer leave at such a young age. At least he swims for inspiration and not just for money/medals.

[Guest fantasian]

probably one of the greatest swimmers ever. he's still quite young... only about 24 now i believe.

if i were him i'd probably retire too. he's pretty much done everything when it comes to swimming, and he's been doing it for all his life. time for a change.

[Guest kkkkk]

thats shocking.

what ever makes you happy: do it.

what ever does not inspire you as it did before: walk away.

[blade123]

Yea, i think he's bored of it now. He's accomplished almost everything there is to gain in the sport. Now i wonder what he'll do next?

[Guest ilikepho]

acting? tv? hmm

i was shocked as well

[Rosencrantz]

i personally think it's the crap the media was dumping on him like, "his so fat now", "OMG his eatting a bigmac", "he's a horrible model"... blah blah blah

[Guest lidge_fan]

whaaaaaaaat?

i remember him from the sydney olympics

gah......can't believe time's passed by so fast

now he's retired.....lol

[Guest reversible]

he's suffering from depression..he'll probably come back...when he realises he made a mistake...but meh!!! he was great!!

[Guest TrainDriver]

hes gotten fat well let him enjoy the rest of his life i suppose

[Guest azngal422]

noooooo

please DO make a comeback, in 2 yrs, at the Bejing olympics. PLEASE

he was the highlight of the Athens games for me....i watched the olympics for him (and for michael phelps and the hamm twins...)

i havent heard any news of him lately. man, i do hope he realizes that he shouldnt stop swimming professionally....and will come back...soon

[Guest Jeffversion2]

Wow that's sad...but yeah if his mind isn't set on swimming then by all means he shouldn't.

Is it that anyone with the last name Thorpe that is involved in sports has the nickname Thorpedo?

[Guest lakers]

every great star says they'll retire, but always end up coming back

[OMGHIyori2U]

oh well, more medals for Michael Phelps to win

[Guest yoojini]

wow, this is shocking. he is still young, but it's his life and if he feels he can't go on anymore, then that's his choice. good luck to him with the rest of his life.=)

[Guest Caja]

He is such a great swimmer! I really hope he will make a comeback!

[Guest Minnie J_*]

haha i think he left just in timee --

there's so much competition i dont

think he'll really match up

but i'm not a hater..

i remember watching him on tv a

couple of years ago and my dad

screaming 'HE'S SO FAST!!!'

haha we have a hopeless swimming family

[Guest Hazy]

No more Aussie records/medals to be won for Australia anymore. =(

Goodbye Thorpedo.