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Ian Thorpe will attempt to revive his London dream in the heats of the 100m freestyle at the Olympic swimming trials in Adelaide on Sunday.
The 29-year-old’s bid to claim a place on Australia team for the London Games looks destined for failure after he missed the final in the 200m, his best chance to qualify.
Thorpe, though, has not given up hope, despite needing to have to improve out of sight to secure a top six finish in the 100m to be considered for selection as a relay swimmer.
Thorpe’s best 100m time of his comeback was in Luxembourg last month, when he clocked 50.76 seconds.
He will likely need to get that down to around 50 seconds just to make it through the heats.
In a field featuring world champion James Magnussen, Matt Targett, Matt Abood and Eamon Sullivan his time may have to improve a further second to make Monday night’s final.
Even then, it is likely he would have to swim close to his best 100m freestyle time of 48.52, set at the Athens 2004 Olympics, to finish in the top six.
National head Leigh Nugent coach said he was unsure how Thorpe would go but admitted it would be tough.
“I watched him swim (in the 200m) and I thought he looked fantastic,” Nugent said.
“He’s still got what he always had, it’s just he wasn’t trained enough for the 200 as we look back on it now.
“His 100 may be a different story, but he’s got a hell of a competitive field to get over.”
On Sunday night, Alicia Coutts, Stephanie Rice and Emily Seebohm will face off in the individual medley final.
Controversial swimmer Nick D’Arcy will attempt to win his place at a first Games in the 200m butterfly while Bronte Barratt and Kylie Palmer are expected to fight out the 200m freestyle final.