400 metres Freestyle, Men

In 2000 Ian Thorpe was generally accepted as the world’s leading male swimmer. Four years later many thought that crown has passed to Michael Phelps but in one event, the 400 metres freestyle, Thorpe remained dominant. As such it was a source of astonishment that he false started at the Australian trials and apparently lost his chance of retaining his Olympic title.Thorpe was restored to the Australian team when Craig Stevens gave up his place to concentrate on his more favoured 1500 m freestyle. Stevens’ decision became a major media story in Australia and a bidding war between various media outlets for an exclusive interview ensured he made a tidy profit from his decision.

Thorpe’s eventual victory was far less clear cut than had been expected and he was pressured right up to the end by compatriot Grant Hackett with America’s Klete Keller, the halfway leader, a close third behind the two Australians.