Janet Collins
Billy MThorpey hangs up the flippers
November 24th 2006 04:09
Ian Thorpe - between 90 - 101kg
Ian Thorpe’s retirement, however, was far from unexpected. In fact, it may be said that the future looked grim since the inception of Thorpedo, the fallen swimmer’s own line of sports drinks. When he followed on to endorse a tacky, ‘health-conscious’ cereal, proclaiming it was “fully sick” – the public knew it was serious. These were the markings of a raging capitalist. But the Australian people and, moreover, the Australian media have come to expect something unsustainably extraordinary out of their national idols.
They’ve made it a harsh and unforgiving world – disgracing football players and breaking their spirits when moments earlier it had all looked so promising. One only has to compare the careers of the loud and rowdy Brendan Fevola and polite introvert Ben Cousins (who both enjoy a few drinks) to uncover a trend, consistent as gravity – in Australia, mistakes are costly.
So it was all but over when the water prodigy copped flak for putting on what the tactful would describe as ‘relaxed muscle’. Facing an obesity epidemic and a swimming squad lacking glamour and sheen, the island nation saw not a holidaying hero but an opportunity to a former legend. Ian Thorpe could have barely felt the wind as he plunged with velocity from the respect of the first podium to the short and sweet prose of Sunday’s Herald Sun - “D-Day for ‘Big, Fat’ Thorpedo”.
In hindsight, the facts are grim – Australia boasts a dangerous independent media and a harsh public unrivalled by other sport-fanatical states. Decidedly, it's a habit well-ingrained.
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