When he was 18, Australia's golden giant of swimming, Ian Thorpe, remarked, "I don't know where the line is in the sand, but when I get there, I hope to jump over it and continue improving all of my career."
Six years later, Mr. Thorpe has reached a line in the sand, announcing his retirement from competitive swimming last Tuesday after a year plagued by illness, injury and diminished motivation. His many fans, from Australia to Japan and beyond, will be disappointed that the multiple-world-record holder and five-time Olympic champion won't be taking on the world's best once again in Beijing in 2008.
But they can rest assured of one thing, which is not true of most departing athletic superstars: Retirement from swimming will not be the line in the sand for the young man popularly known as the Thorpedo. As remarkable and well-rounded a swimmer as he was, he has shown himself to be just as remarkable and well-rounded a human being. As Australian Prime Minister John Howard said last week, Mr. Thorpe is "a good bloke." He is also an intelligent, thoughtful and articulate "bloke," who undoubtedly has plenty more career ahead of him far from the bright lights and the lane ropes.