Magnusen best in a decade
Five-time Olympic gold medallist Ian Thorpe says fellow Australian
James "Missile" Magnussen is the best swimmer to emerge on the
international scene in a decade. Thorpe, who failed in his comeback bid
to make the London Games, said he was confident Magnussen could smash
Brazilian Cesar Cielo's 46.91-second 100m freestyle world record as
early as the semi-finals.
"For me, watching him, I see a new era of sprinting," Thorpe told
Australian media Friday. "He's the most impressive swimmer I've seen,
probably over the past decade, that's new to the sport. He's exciting to
watch." Thorpe, who missed out on a place in the Australian team after
failing to qualify in the 100m and 200m freestyle events, said that
Magnussen was leading the country to "the dawn of a new era in
swimming".
"I think he will do incredible things. I think you could see an
amazing result in the (100m freestyle) semi-final and then in the final.
AFP |