Gennadi Touretski impressed with Thorpe’s sprint – Swimming News
Russian coach, Gennadi Touretski, has been impressed by Ian James Thorpe’s sprint these days, as the trainer has been dedicatedly working with the Australian in Switzerland, from the last two months.
He deems that Thorpe can be very thrilling and devastating in his sprinting skills, for the upcoming Olympic events in London. More importantly, he has seen promising changes in Thorpe’s individual style of swimming, speed and mental toughness.
Touretski believes that Thorpe is capable of performing well in both Men’s 100m and 200m freestyles, but he does not want to disclose whether he will compete in the category, for the 2012 London Olympics.
The Russian surely knows how to shape the swimmer. He was the head swimming coach for Alex Popov, who won many gold medals in the Men’s 50m and 100m freestyle events in the 1992 and 1996 Olympic Games. Popov is widely regarded as the best sprint freestyle
swimmer, who has ever embraced the sport.
Touretski, said, ”I think in the 400m freestyle or 200m freestyle, he could be faster than before. When it comes to 100m freestyle he must do extra things. His technical preparation must be, not at a higher standard, but a little bit different. His ability
to accelerate through the distance must be improved.”
He further added that victory will now depend up on Thorpe’s individual physical traits, suppleness and strength.
The Russian, while speaking more about Thorpe, said, “A benefit is his age [Thorpe is now 28]. He’s a man … 10 years ago, he looked like a man but was not stronger than now, and I think that’s important to know. I think he’s much stronger now, and that’s
a good foundation for his success.”
Touretski said that he is really working hard with Thorpe like a sculptor, at his base in Switzerland and is observing the Australian. The Russian coach wishes to see Thorpe in his best form right now. He does have a crystal clear image of his sprinter and
knows that the Australian can prove to be one of the most devastating swimmers, in the current scenario.
Thorpe has been putting great effort under Touretski’s guidance. He admitted that he can contest in all kinds of swimming events, but is mainly fit to compete in the 100m freestyle at the London Olympics in 2012.
Thorpe has won many medals in his entire swimming career so far. He won three gold medals in the 400m, 4x100m and 4x200m freestyles consecutively, in the 2000 Olympic Games. The Australian became the first athlete to win six gold medals in one championship,
after his stunning performance in the 2001 World Aquatics Championships.
Thorpe is working more on his skills now, as he still wants to clinch more gold medals in the next Olympic campaign, in London.