Thorpe packs on the beef to try for seven golds
Australia's Ian Thorpe has increased his weight by almost five kilograms in a bid to win a record seven swimming golds at the Commonwealth Games in Manchester.
The 19-year-old told reporters at the team's training camp that he was now tipping the scales at a whopping 105 kg after months of heavy weight training.
Thorpe said he normally cut back on the weights in the final weeks leading into a major competition.
But he had decided to keep going this time in the hope the extra beef would give him more power for his sprint events without taking away any of the endurance he needs for longer races. The Games open on Thursday.
"This preparation I haven't cut back like I have before. I've let that bulk actually sit because it was becoming too difficult not to let it happen," Thorpe said.
"I've really just gone with it and I'm hoping that it works to my advantage."
Thorpe will be one of the stars of the Games even though he says he doesn't really expect to win seven gold medals.
He will start as a strong favourite in the 100, 200 and 400 metre freestyle events and will also be expected to win gold medals in each of the three Australian relays.
But the major hurdle to his hopes of a magnificent seven is the 100m backstroke, an event he is only taking part in for fun because the 800m freestyle is not on the program.
JUNIOR CHAMPION
Thorpe was a junior national champion in backstroke and finished second at the Australian senior titles this year but the man he has to beat is Australia's world champion Matt Welsh.
"When I go and compete I try and compete as well as I can. Whether I think I'll win seven gold medals - I don't," Thorpe said.
"I think there's some tough competition in my freestyle events and probably equally as tough competition with Matt Welsh in the backstroke as well."
Thorpe won three gold medals at the Sydney Olympics as a 17-year-old and he could become the first male swimmer to win gold at three different Olympics. But Thorpe is not so sure.
"I'll continue swimming while I continue to enjoy swimming," he said.
"I don't look on to 2008, I don't look on to 2003. I take things day by day.
