Is Australian Swimmer Ian Thorpe Set to Retire?

Five-time Olympic swimming champion Ian Thorpe has called a press conference for tomorrow amid rumours that he is set to retire.

Thorpe, 24, has not competed for two years after taking a break after the Athens Olympics. After suffering a series of illnesses and injuries, his plan was to finally return for next March's world championships, but now it seems that he lacks the motivation to compete at the top level.

"It will be a huge announcement," an Australian swimming official told the Associated Press. He declined to give any more details, but said the announcement would have nothing to do with Thorpe missing the world championships because of a bout of glandular fever early this year. "That's all a smokescreen," the official said.

Visitors to Thorpe's website found a one-line message: "Thank you for visiting Ian's website. This website has been temporarily closed. However there will be some exciting news shortly."

On Sunday, Thorpe's American coaching consultant, Milt Nelms, had said that Thorpe was trying to get himself back into shape for the December trials. "Ian has had a long road back from illness and he has been diligently applying himself ... to get himself ready to swim at the worlds," claimed Nelms. "It has been tougher than we thought and we're going to get together and make a decision within the next 48 hours."