Aussies Stunned By Report That Thorpe Had 'Adverse' Doping Test

Mar 31, 12:06 PM

Current Headlines: By PAUL NEWBERRY

MELBOURNE, Australia (AP) - With those size-17 feet, that intimidating black bodysuit and a dashing sense of style away from the pool, Ian Thorpe became the world's most iconic swimmer. Even when he walked away, only 24 years old, he was still a mesmerizing figure.

Now comes the shocking news that Australia's beloved "Thorpedo" had a suspicious doping test just months before he retired, making front-page headlines Down Under and even prompting the country's political leader to weigh in on the matter.

"As far as I'm concerned, until solid evidence of the contrary is produced, Ian Thorpe remains a great Australian champion," Prime Minister John Howard said Saturday.

The swimming world was rocked by the report, given Thorpe's celebrity and adamant stance against performance-enhancing drugs throughout his career.

While few people around the pool gave it any credence, there's little doubt that some will question if all those remarkable achievements - the five Olympic gold medals, the 11 worlds titles, the 13 world records - were achieved on the up-and-up.

The French sports daily L'Equipe broke the news, reporting that Thorpe showed "abnormal levels" of two banned substances in a doping test six months before he announced his retirement in November.

"This must be like being hit by a lightning bolt," said Glenn Tasker, head of Swimming Australia.

He said the country's swim officials only got word of the "adverse finding" after it was reported by L'Equipe. Thorpe was notified shortly afterward by the head coach of the national team, Alan Thompson.

"I can't tell you what they spoke about, only that Ian is obviously shocked," Tasker said.

Thorpe was at Rod Laver Arena for the next-to-last night of the world championships, sitting among the Australian team but not making himself available to the media. He planned a news conference Sunday.

Thorpe's father denied that his son did anything wrong.

"Ian has been clean all his life," Ken Thorpe said. "He never even used to take antibiotics. The only way he has got where he has is through hard work."

FINA, without mentioning Ian Thorpe by name, confirmed Saturday that it had appealed a ruling by the Australian Sports Anti-Doping Agency to the Court of Arbitration for Sport "with the aim of clarifying issues surrounding this case."

L'Equipe reported that ASADA threw out the case against Thorpe for lack of scientific proof. FINA then went to the Court of Arbitration, the highest tribunal in the sports world.

But Richard Ings, chief executive of the Australian anti-doping agency, said the investigation has not been closed.

"ASADA is working through its normal results management process and we are at the point now of speaking with the athlete to ascertain whether there are any pathological or physical conditions which may be an explanation for these naturally occurring hormones," Ings said at an evening news conference.

Refusing to use Thorpe's name, Ings did say, "The athlete has indicated to ASADA his commitment to the anti-doping process and his willingness to fully assist ASADA in relation to this matter."

Cornel Marculescu, executive director of swimming's governing body, said the appeal was made in December and he's not sure why the news came out now. He also insisted that FINA did not know the name of the athlete involved when it appealed for a review of the case.

Tasker stressed that it was not a positive doping test.

"At this moment, nothing is diminished in Swimming Australia's eyes about Ian," he said. "I'm sure the Australian public, their opinion of him won't change."

CAS secretary-general Matthieu Reeb did not answer messages from The Associated Press left at his home and the court's headquarters in Lausanne, Switzerland.

The French newspaper said Thorpe turned up with irregular levels of testosterone and luteinizing hormone when tested in May 2006.

Several swimmers and coaches denounced the report.

"There's no way that's factual," American swimmer Erik Vendt said. "He's always been such an outspoken opponent against drugs."

Thorpe did not compete in another major international meet after the 2004 Athens Olympics, his return scuttled by injuries, illness and a lack of motivation.

Even though he was not competing, Thorpe was still subjected to regular drug testing until he formally retired. Tasker said the ex-swimmer probably had at least six drug tests after the May 2006 sample.

Synthetic versions of testosterone, the male hormone, can act like steroids to improve performance. Luteinizing hormone is released by the pituitary gland and produces testosterone in men.

"I don't want to believe this and I can't believe it," said Swiss head coach Gennadi Touretski, who formerly worked with stars such as Michael Klim and Alexander Popov.

After winning three golds and two silvers at the 2000 Sydney Games, Thorpe produced one of the greatest performances in swimming history at the world championships the following year in Fukuoka, Japan.

At 18, Thorpe became the first swimmer to win six gold medals at the meet, claiming three individual titles and taking part in three relay victories. Thorpe set world records in all three of his solo wins: the 200, 400 and 800 freestyles. He also was part of the record-setting Australian team in the 800 free relay.

Thorpe still holds the world mark in the 400, which he took even lower at the 2002 Commonwealth Games. His 800 mark was claimed in 2005 by countryman Grant Hackett, while the 200 record fell this week to American Michael Phelps at the world championships in Melbourne.

Phelps won his sixth gold medal Saturday night, winning the 100 butterfly to tie Thorpe's mark.

"It would be a real pity," Tasker said, "if this was to overshadow what Michael Phelps has done here."

After Thorpe won two golds, a silver and a bronze at the Athens Olympics, he took a 15-month break from swimming. His return lasted only one race, in November 2005.

"He's the greatest personality I've ever met," Touretski said. "I just wish he would come back."