Ian Thorpe
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“You couldn’t cross the street, it seemed, without seeing Ian’s face on a billboard, couldn’t watch television without seeing Ian in a commercial.” Phelps subtly reveals in his 2008 book No Limits: The Will to Succeed that he had an obsession with the Australian swimmer star when he was young.
Before Phelps could even think to be the greatest Olympian, he had to beat the best swimmer on the planet first. Every great hero needs a good antagonist. While Ian Thorpe is no villain, he sure was the perfect counterpart to Phelps’ who helped him to achieve his best.
Ian Thrope of Austrailia was the biggest thing in swimming before the American came splashing.
Having won 5 gold medals and a total of 9 medals in 2000 and 2004 Olympics himself; Thorpe said 7 gold medal victories in one Olympics was beyond anyone’s reach. This was in 2004 and Phelps took the Australian’s comments to his heart. These words, it’s said, were written on a note and cleanly stuck on the inside of his locker by Phelps to use as a benchmark.
Come 2008, Thorpe had to eat his words and followed it up with a diplomatic comment.
"I said that I didn't think he will, I never said he wouldn't", clarified Thorpe. "I just couldn't envisage it happening. And I didn't think he would get all eight, not because Michael couldn't win, but because of the competition.”
