Thorpe ‘looking like a swimmer again’

SYDNEY—Australian great Ian Thorpe said Wednesday he was starting to look like a swimmer again following gruelling high altitude training in Switzerland.

The 28-year-old, Australia’s most decorated Olympian, is on the comeback trail after announcing his return to the sport in February.

His target is the 2012 London Olympics, but after arriving in Sydney to touch base with head coach Leigh Nugent before returning to his Swiss training camp, he played down his chances.

“I’m satisfied,” said a fit-looking Thorpe when asked about his progress.

“I’m content where I’m at but I have a lot to do. Satisfied doesn’t mean I’m there, by no means, I’m not at all. But I’m happy with where I’m at.”

The five-time Olympic gold medallist added of his recent physical transformation: “I’m starting to look like a swimmer again.”

Thorpe, who is expected to make his competitive return at the World Cup series in Singapore in November, is working under Russian mentor Gennadi Touretski and has been training at high altitude.

“It’s something that really tests the capacities that we have, so it was good,” said Thorpe, who confirmed he will target only the 100m and 200m freestyle events in his comeback.

Thorpe, who has won nine Olympic medals in total, including five golds, quit the sport aged just 24 in 2006 citing a lack of motivation.