Thorpedo thrown a lifeline

Last updated at 14:06 26 April 2004

Ian Thorpe will be free to defend his 400 metres freestyle title at the Athens Olympics after his team mate Craig Stevens announced on Monday 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.

"My decision is to stand aside in the 400 metres," Stevens said in a television interview.

"The decision that's been made has come from the heart."

Originally disqualified

Thorpe's hopes of swimming the 400 in Athens seemed to disappear when he was disqualified for a false start after slipping off the blocks during last month's Australian trials.

Thorpe lost an appeal against his disqualification but was thrown an unexpected lifeline when Stevens, who finished second behind Grant Hackett at the trials, said he would consider surrendering his place.

Stevens had also qualified for his specialist event, the 1500 metres, as well as the 4x200 relay, and said he wanted to concentrate on those races.