Thorpe doubts if Phelps can crack Spitz record

The 23-year-old American swimmer is setting himself the ultimate target in his sport 8212; trying to better Spitz8217;s Munich haul of seven golds.

Thorpe, 25, who retired from swimming two years ago and now just takes to the pool for relaxation, said: 8220;I don8217;t think he can8217;t do it, I just don8217;t think he will. Look at the competition.8221;

Phelps won six gold and two bronze medals in Athens and this time the multiple world record holder is going for the same events 8212; the 100 and 200 butterfly, the 200 and 400 individual medleys, the 200 freestyle and three relays.

8220;There is a lot of competition, even in the events he is really strong in. They are going to be tough races for him. I think it is going to be the schedule that makes it difficult. He also has to rely on relays.8221;

8220;I think the competition for him is tougher here than what it would have been in Athens certainly,8221; he added.

Phelps has said Thorpe8217;s pessimistic prediction has helped to motivate him.

Thorpe was delighted to hear that: 8220;I am happy. I am friends with Michael.8221;

8220;I am going to tell him if I see him before the competition that if there is anyone that is going to do this it would be you 8212; and I would like to watch it happen.8221;

Asked about the rivalry in the pool between swimming superpowers the United States and Australia, the five-time Olympic gold medallist said: 8220;It8217;s a great one for livening up the press. That8217;s about it.8221;

8220;For the most part we are good friends but we like to beat them. Everyone likes to beat the Americans.8221;

Thorpe is currently suing French sports newspaper L8217;Equipe over reports he used performance-enhancing drugs during his career, his lawyer said on Monday.

One of the greatest swimmers of all time, who is also a prominent anti-drugs campaigner, would not comment on the allegations but has in the past said his reputation was permanently tarnished by the accusations, which he called 8220;gut-wrenching8221;.

After years of punishing training schedules and interminable lengths up and down the pool, Thorpe now just dives in to unwind for 15 to 45 minutes at a time.

He enjoys swimming now: 8220;It has become more personal for me. I swim on average three times a week. So I obviously get stressed three times a week.8221;

8220;I do it not for fitness but just to get my head straight.8221;