Olympics 2008

Time for another Olympic great.

Today is the turn of Australian swimming legend Ian Thorpe - he of size-17-feet fame who became the hero of the 2000 Sydney Olympics.

The Thorpedo had already broken 10 world records in the run-up to his first Games.

And home fans expecting the 17-year-old to deliver more world bests and gold medals, were sated from day one.

Thorpe shaved over half a second off his 400m freestyle best to win gold on the first evening of competition.

And one hour later, he anchored the 4x100m freestyle relay team to gold in another world record as the Americans tasted defeat for the first time in the event.

A silver medal, behind Dutchman Pieter van den Hoogenband in the 200m freestyle followed, but he bounced back to help set another world record in the 4x200m freestyle relay final.

A 4x100m medley relay silver brought his tally to three gold and two silvers, a significant contribution to Australia's record medal haul of 58.

Thorpe defended his 400m freestyle title four years later in Athens and became Australia's record gold-medal winner when he chalked up his fifth Olympic victory in the 200m freestyle.

It was one of the most eagerly anticpated swimming races in years and Thorpe defeated reigning Olympic champion Van den Hoogenband and American Michael Phelps, who was chasing eight gold medals.

Thorpe may not have won as many Olympic swimming medals as Phelps, Matt Biondi, or Mark Spitz, but for the sheer impact he made eight years ago, he deserves a place in this countdown.

Who will be making the biggest splash in the pool in Beijing?