This doesn't surprise me in the least. Here is a post I made just over a month ago on this very issue -
http://www.getbig.com/boards/index.php?topic=128902.msg1830125#msg1830125
The media in Australia is blindly throwing all their support behind Thorpe but I think there is enough healthy cynicism in the Australian public to know that there is a lot more to this.
SERGIO!!!!
The swim fans in Australia needs to open their eyes.
Grant Hackett, not even close to a medal on 1500 meters?
On his home turf?
Why the hell would Grant Hackett miss a chance to win the 1500 m title for the 5th consecutive time, and on home soil?
He wasn't even close.
Something's fishy with the Aussie Swim Team. What it is, I don't know. If Thorpe is one of the guilty ones, I don't know. I believe Hackett is, though.
The reason why all the Oz swimmers underachieved, is probably because the testing got much more stringent before the contest.
Hopefully, it will stay that way until Beijing.
-Hedge
