Thorpe's Olympic dreams come to an end

Five-time Olympic champion Ian Thorpe missed his last chance of qualifying for the London Games when he failed to make the semi-finals of the 100-metres freestyle at selection trials in Adelaide on Sunday.

Thorpe, who had to finish in the top 16 to reach the semi-finals, posted 50.35 seconds and the 21st fastest time behind world champion James Magnussen (48.26).

The Olympic great only entered in two events at the selection trials and on Friday he failed to make the 200m freestyle final.

Thorpe's last hope of swimming at the London Games was to finish in the top six of the 100m freestyle, but despite winning his heat his time was almost 0.2secs outside the top 16 to progress to Sunday night's semi-final.

"Thorpey has been someone I've always admired as a swimmer, so it is upsetting for him and the rest of us do feel his pain," Magnussen said.

"It would have been great to have him there in London, it's disappointing that he's not going to be there and all I can do now is focus on my race." It is a bitter blow for Thorpe, who launched his comeback to competitive swimming 14 months ago after five years out of the sport.

Thorpe, 29, who won a total of five golds at the Sydney and Athens Olympics, has struggled to reproduce anywhere near the times he swam in his prime with a string of disappointing results since his comeback in Singapore in November.

The "Thorpedo" ruled the pool from 1998 to 2004, taking nine Olympic medals and 11 world titles, while setting 13 long course world records.

Thorpe earlier vowed to press on with his comeback despite his dream of swimming at the London Olympics turning into a nightmare at the selection trials.

"I intend to. I've enjoyed what I've been doing. I've enjoyed training again, I've enjoyed pushing myself in the pool and I'll keep on swimming until I feel I cannot get any more out of myself," Thorpe said after Friday's setback.

"I think I have another couple of preparations in me as well.

"I won't keep training unless I think I can do that (return to elite level). That's the thing that has motivated me and it is the only thing that will motivate me in the future."

ADELAIDE March 18, 2012