BBC SPORT | Other Sports | A pool of money



By Ian Hughes BBC Sport Online

He has the world at his famously large feet.

Swimmer Ian Thorpe is arguably Australia's greatest-ever athlete, having broken 22 world records and accumulated 23 gold medals in his short career.

Yet amazingly, at the age of 19, Thorpe is already entertaining the idea of putting up those size 17s and retiring.

Thorpedo, as he is known, is the holder of world records in the 200m (short course), 400m, and 800m freestyle individual events.

I know I could retire at 19 - a little ahead of the usual 55

Ian Thorpe

And he is a member of the relay teams to set world bests in the 4x200m (both short and long course), 4x100m and 4x200m.

Impressive for a man who is still a few days shy of entering his second decade of life - in fact, just plain impressive.

Perhaps even more staggering is the fact that while still a teenager, Thorpe could opt out of the workforce and live comfortably.

He admits, somewhat tongue in cheek, there would have to be concessions in his lifestyle, including a reduction in "truffles and caviar".

But Thorpe is serious when he says that "after chats with my financial adviser, I know I could retire at 19 - a little ahead of the usual 55".

However, it is not a cue for the 6'5" Australian's competitors to start ripping up verruca socks in excitement.

Thorpe will no doubt retire early, thanks to lucrative sponsorship contracts - at present he has 11 major deals and earns about �5m a year.

But he says he wants to swim until 2008, which means participation in a further two Olympic Games and, of course, a chance to further boost his pension.

It is almost unimaginable that Thorpe will not add to his Olympic medal haul, such is his dominance in the pool.

Rising stock

So far, he has three gold and two silver medals from his first Games, held in his hometown of Sydney in 2000.

And each time Thorpe produces astonishing performances at a major championship, his marketability rises.

A study by Melbourne-based consultancy, Sponsorship Solutions, ranks Thorpe as the most valuable Australian athlete - ahead of world number one tennis player Lleyton Hewitt.

It is estimated that Thorpe's sponsorship price tag is a minimum of �150,000.

That seems a reasonable price to pay to have a man who was recently voted more recognisable than the Australian Prime Minister endorse your product.

Telstra, Audi and Adidas are just three of the companies who believe Thorpe's popularity and profile are perfect for them.

Australia's tennis star Lleyton hewitt
Thorpe is worth more in sponsorship terms than Hewitt

Thorpe's portfolio of high-paying companies clambering to line the pockets of his Speedos will continue to grow in correlation with his success.

And he deserves every penny.

To achieve the level of performance that leaves his rivals trailing in his wake - literally, Thorpe has a gruelling training regime to adhere to.

He spends 25 hours in the pool, and subjects himself to two five-hour sessions of weight training and boxing each week.

It is easy to see why thoughts of retiring at 19, and enjoying the absence of a daily 0400 wake-up call, may appeal.

But in reality there is a lot more for Thorpe to achieve, both in and out of the water, and he is determined to continue his success.

And to think, as a young swimmer, Thorpe was allergic to chlorine.

Now it is quite clear, as he accumulates titles and wealth, he has absolutely no aversion to the green stuff.