• London Olympics 2012

Ian Thorpe bombs out in Beijing

ESPN staff
November 8, 2011
Ian Thorpe tasted defeat in Beijing © Getty Images
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The size of the task facing Ian Thorpe in his bid to qualify for London 2012 was spelt out with his sobering failure in the 100m freestyle at the World Cup round in Beijing.

Thorpe came out of retirement this month, following five years on the sidelines, and it proved a low-key return in Singapore. He made the trip to Beijing looking to show up well in the 100m freestyle, but failed to make the final.

The Australian started strongly in his heat, turning first at the 50m mark, but he faded out of contention and came home 15th overall in a time of 50.21 seconds.

An hour later Thorpe finishes fifth in his 100m individual medley heat in 56.70sec, ninth overall and not good enough to secure a place in the final. His time was faster than the 56.74s he clocked in his heat at the Singapore World Cup.

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.
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