Is anyone aware of any bookmakers that are offering odds on Ian Thorpe winning a medal (of any colour) at the London Olympics?
If so, please let me know because I think he’s a certainty and contrary to the media’s reaction, his results over the past few days have only strengthened my view.
My wife is sick of hearing my (conspiracy?) theory, so I’m keen to hear what you Roarers think of this.
His results on the weekend were reported as “disappointing” yet other reports said that he met the benchmarks set by his coach. My theory is that he’s not trying hard yet, and won’t for a few more months yet.
The guy is a sporting “freak”. He is extraordinary. He will win medals, probably gold, and he’ll do it easy. But if he does it too easily, if he reveals how good he still is, he and his team will make less money.
His comeback won’t be as compelling. The book which documents it all won’t be as impressive.
Yet if he does his best to appear like one of us, he’s going to get far more attention. He swims 7th in a final and misses out on two more. Next meet he comes 6th in one race and makes two finals.
The media falls back in love with him, stay with him for the entire journey and we build up to one amazing night in London next year where “Thorpey will do what no-one expected him to do” and win gold.
Well you’ve heard it here first. I think he’ll do it. He’ll smash them. He’s an out and out champion and someone of his skill, experience, talent wouldn’t bother putting the togs back on if he wasn’t 100% sure he could achieve what he set out to do.
So whilst I may have burst the bubble on an “amazing story”, if you see logic in this, do what I’m going to do, keep an eye out for some juicy odds…perhaps the bookmakers already agree with
Johnno
Guest
is Thorpey still a man lover of pearls, wasn't eh a pearl salesman lol.
BigAl
Guest
Thanks Phil - not sure how I missed all that. Puts it all into perspective I guess.
Phil
Guest
BigAl it is common knowledge Thorpe is broke, it was all over the papers. Allan Jones had to step in to stop Westpac foreclosing on him. http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/news/ian-thorpe-fights-to-stay-afloat/story-e6freuy9-1225829872294 http://www.smartcompany.com.au/wealth/20100215-inside-ian-thorpe-s-struggling-food-business.html http://www.lendingcentral.com/2010/02/15/ian-thorpe-vows-to-bounce-back-from-financial-problems/
Phil
Guest
Try this article.. Which it states is conformed by Thorpe himself. http://www.news.com.au/business/ian-thorpe-struggles-to-stay-afloat/story-e6frfm1i-1225829884223
BigAl
Guest
What evidence can you present to show he is '...BROKE!!!' ? . . . that's a big call that !
Phil
Guest
The reality is Thorpe is only swimming for the money because he is BROKE!!!! Swimming is a young mans sport and he does not have the motivation or hunger anymore. This will simply go down as another failed comeback. Let’s just hope he makes some money and does not squander it like last time. Maybe he should come out while he is at it!!!!
MattRusty
Roar Pro
...maximum performance at the Olympics AND maximizing books sales....
Mattay
Guest
I don't think he's purposely holding himself back in order to increase the drama. Instead, I think he's just building himself towards London. As said, he's meeting his coaches benchmarks, and those benchmarks will be geared towards maximum performance at the Olympics.
KTinHK
Roar Pro
The conspiracy theory is a bit hard to swallow MattR. I agree he's a freak, but I think he may have left his run a bit late. Hope I'm wrong.
GoNSW
Guest
I agree. The whole thing seems very scripted. First the comeback in Singapore was a disappointment, then he failed to impress in Beijing. It just seems like he's holding something in the tank, waiting for the perfect time to explode and destroy the field like he did in his prime. It just doesnt make sense for him to come back if he wasnt 100 per cent. He knows what it takes to win better than anyone and he wouldnt bother coming back if he wasnt at that standard. It certainly doesnt look like he's at that standard yet but that's probably the idea
ptovey01
Roar Pro
Ahhh. The Kieran Perkins Theory and effect. I like it.