Thorpe announcement expected

Australian swimming star Ian Thorpe is to hold a press conference in Sydney on Tuesday, at which a major announcement over his future is expected.

Speculation is mounting the 24-year-old, a five-time Olympic champion, could announce his retirement from the sport, although it could just be that he has decided to opt out of the World Championships next March.

Thorpe has not competed at a major international event since the 2004 Athens Olympics, when he walked off with gold medals in the 200- and 400-metre freestyle events.

He has since suffered from a strain of glandular fever, broke his hand and struggled with his motivation.

Thorpe’s American coaching consultant Milt Nelms hinted on Sunday his pupil was still aiming to take part in the trials for the World Championships, which take place in December in Brisbane.

Nelms said: “Ian has had a long road back from illness and he has been diligently applying himself to get himself ready to swim at the worlds.

“It has been tougher than we thought and we’re going to get together and make a decision within the next 48 hours.”

Thorpe is one of the most successful swimmers of all time.

He won his first world title aged 15 and has claimed 10 in total and also broken 21 world records.