Australia’s head swimming coach, Jacco Verhaeren, says there’s ”no doubt” he would welcome troubled great Ian Thorpe back into the fold as part of his plan to use Australian legends to revive its Olympic fortunes.
Thorpe is being treated for depression but Dutchman Verhaeren, who coached Thorpe’s good friend and Olympic rival Pieter van den Hoogenband, said his door was always open for Thorpe if he wished to help restore Australia as a powerhouse.
Verhaeren visited Canberra this week as he settles into his new role, having taken over from Leigh Nugent after the disastrous 2012 London Olympics.
“He [Thorpe] is somebody you would like to have on board, no doubt about that,” Verhaeren said.
“Ian’s an icon, a legend, and having him on board in whatever role we would appreciate, I would love to have him there.<
