SYDNEY, 27 April 2004 — Ian Thorpe can now defend his 400 meters freestyle title at the Athens Olympics after his teammate Craig Stevens announced yesterday he was pulling out of the event.
In one of the worst-kept secrets in Australian sport, Stevens confirmed he was giving up his spot to Thorpe so he could concentrate on his other events.
“The decision I’ve made is to stand aside in the 400 freestyle in the hope that I’ll get to see Ian swim that race... and to also put all my focus on two other events,” Stevens said in a television interview broadcast yesterday. Thorpe’s hopes of swimming the 400 appeared to have disappeared when he was disqualified for a false start after slipping off the blocks during last month’s Australian trials.
He lost an appeal against his disqualification but was thrown an unexpected lifeline when his friend Stevens, who finished second to Grant Hackett at the trials, said he would consider surrendering his place.
There was no immediate response from Thorpe yesterday but Australian swimming officials said he would hold a news conference in Sydney today.
Australian Olympic Committee president John Coates immediately issued a statement commending Stevens for his decision.
“Craig Stevens has shown great mateship and won the admiration and support of all Australians,” Coates said.
“His decision to stand aside in the men’s 400 freestyle is unselfish and typifies the spirit and comradery within the swimming ranks.”
Hackett, who would have been a firm favorite to win the 400 in Athens in the absence of Thorpe, said he was glad Thorpe was back in the race.
“Ian (is) the number one man in this event and defending world champion and world record holder,” said Hackett, the Olympic and world champion over 1,500.
