13 Jan 2012

Ian Thorpe's coach believes longer distances his best shot

11:57 am on 13 January 2012

The Australian swimmer Ian Thorpe is still focusing his comeback on the 100 metres freestyle as much as the 200, even though Australia's head coach believes he has a better chance of an Olympic return in the longer event.

Today Thorpe will race in Australia for the first time in six years in the 100 freestyle at the Victorian state championships as he builds toward the Olympic trials in March and a potential return to the Olympic arena.

Thorpe says it'll be good to have a hit out in both the 100 and 200 metres.

But Australia's head coach Leigh Nugent believes the 200 is still the better fit for Thorpe who'll find it tough to get past the crop of youngsters in the 100.