Editing Ian Thorpe (section)

===2006: Attempted return and retirement===
[[File:Thorpe's Aquatic Center.jpg|thumb|320px|[[Ian Thorpe Aquatic Centre]] in [[Ultimo, New South Wales|Ultimo, Sydney]]]]

Thorpe returned to competition at the New South Wales Championships in December 2005. He raced in the 200&nbsp;m and stated his intention to retire after the [[2008 Summer Olympics]] in Beijing.<ref>{{cite news|title=Thorpe Not Planning Beyond 2008|url=http://www.swimmingworldmagazine.com/lane9/news/10697.asp|work=Swimming World|date=27 January 2006|access-date=14 November 2006|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070927200554/http://www.swimmingworldmagazine.com/lane9/news/10697.asp|archive-date=27 September 2007|url-status=dead}}</ref> Thorpe announced that due to a desire to concentrate on the 100&nbsp;m freestyle, he had dropped his pet event, the 400&nbsp;m. He was unmoved by national coach [[Alan Thompson (swimming coach)|Alan Thompson]], who implored him to continue swimming the event.<ref>{{cite news|title=Aussie Expectations Are High for Commonwealth Games|url=http://www.swimmingworldmagazine.com/lane9/news/10507.asp|work=Swimming World|date=2 January 2006|access-date=14 November 2006|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061230053440/http://www.swimmingworldmagazine.com/lane9/news/10507.asp|archive-date=30 December 2006|url-status=dead}}</ref> In February, Thorpe qualified for the [[2006 Commonwealth Games]] by winning the 100&nbsp;m and 200&nbsp;m freestyle in times of 49.24&nbsp;s and 1&nbsp;min 46.42&nbsp;s respectively. He expressed disappointment with his performances; he speculated that he may have misjudged his new training schedule and anticipated further improvement.<ref>{{cite news|first=Stephen J.|last=Thomas|title=Australian Commonwealth Games Trials: Day Two Finals: Flash! Lenton Regains World Record in the 100 Freestyle; Thorpe Makes A Successful Return in the 200 Free|url=http://www.swimmingworldmagazine.com/lane9/news/10754.asp|work=Swimming World|date=31 January 2006|access-date=14 November 2006|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070125220051/http://www.swimmingworldmagazine.com/lane9/news/10754.asp|archive-date=25 January 2007|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|first=Stephen J.|last=Thomas|title=Australian Commonwealth Games Trials: Day Four Finals: Schipper Breaks Commonwealth Record to Win 100 Fly; Thorpe Gets the Job Done in 100 Freestyle to Take Fifth Title|url=http://www.swimmingworldmagazine.com/lane9/news/10771.asp|work=Swimming World|date=2 February 2006|access-date=14 November 2006|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070927195851/http://www.swimmingworldmagazine.com/lane9/news/10771.asp|archive-date=27 September 2007|url-status=dead}}</ref>

Soon after, Thorpe announced his withdrawal from the Commonwealth Games due to a bout of [[bronchitis]], which had stopped him from training.<ref>{{cite news|title=Thorpe is Out of Commonwealth Games|url=http://www.swimmingworldmagazine.com/lane9/news/10981.asp|work=Swimming World|date=7 March 2006|access-date=14 November 2006|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061230053722/http://www.swimmingworldmagazine.com/lane9/news/10981.asp|archive-date=30 December 2006|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=Illness forces Thorpe to stand down |url=http://www.news.com.au/story/0,10117,18377317-2,00.html |access-date=7 March 2006 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060511082351/http://www.news.com.au/story/0%2C10117%2C18377317-2%2C00.html |archive-date=11 May 2006 |url-status=dead  }}</ref> Thorpe's illness was later diagnosed as a strain of [[infectious mononucleosis|glandular fever]],<ref>{{cite news|first=Jim|last=Wilson|title=Ian Thorpe turns to gymnastics|url=http://www.news.com.au/heraldsun/story/0,21985,20532859-14641,00.html|work=Herald Sun|location=Australia|date=6 October 2006|access-date=14 November 2006|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080411122906/http://www.news.com.au/heraldsun/story/0,21985,20532859-14641,00.html|archive-date=11 April 2008|url-status=live}}</ref> and after a further delay caused by a broken hand, he moved to the United States in July to work with [[Dave Salo]]. Further disruption followed when the Australian switched coaches, citing excessive and ongoing media attention.<ref>{{cite news|first=Nicole|last=Jeffery|title=City of Angels full of answers for Thorpe|url=http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/story/0,20867,20525791-2722,00.html|work=The Australian|date=5 October 2006|access-date=10 November 2006|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080919133240/http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/story/0,20867,20525791-2722,00.html|archive-date=19 September 2008|url-status=dead}}</ref> Thorpe's stay was constantly surrounded by rumours that he was suffering from ill discipline; this fuelled speculation that his international career was on the decline.<ref>{{cite news|first=Rebecca|last=Wilson|title=Thorpe – Me, LA and gay rumours|url=http://www.news.com.au/heraldsun/story/0,21985,20186448-661,00.html|work=Herald Sun|location=Australia|date=20 August 2006|access-date=24 November 2006|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080130121323/http://www.news.com.au/heraldsun/story/0,21985,20186448-661,00.html|archive-date=30 January 2008|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=Thorpe fitness weighs heavily on Australian minds|url=http://www.timesofmalta.com/articles/view/20060806/sport/thorpes-fitness-weighs-heavily-on-australian-minds.45310|agency=Reuters|date=4 August 2006|access-date=10 November 2006|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130909144300/http://www.timesofmalta.com/articles/view/20060806/sport/thorpes-fitness-weighs-heavily-on-australian-minds.45310|archive-date=9 September 2013|url-status=live}}</ref>

Upon his return to Australia, Thorpe withdrew from the selection trials for the [[2007 World Aquatics Championships|2007 World Championships]] and announced his retirement on 21 November 2006.<ref>{{cite news|first=Lincoln |last=Archer |title=Ian Thorpe quits swimming |url=http://www.news.com.au/story/0,23599,20795172-2,00.html |date=21 November 2006 |access-date=21 November 2006 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080917114431/http://www.news.com.au/story/0%2C23599%2C20795172-2%2C00.html |archive-date=17 September 2008 }}</ref> Thorpe said that he had been contemplating retirement for some time, but was afraid of the future because swimming had given him a "safety blanket".<ref name=ret2/> Thorpe stated that he retired despite reaching higher levels of fitness, noting "As I got fit, physically fit, my mind also got fit".<ref name=ret2/> He said a clear mind allowed him to reach his decision. He was close to tears when thanking the Australian public, but declared that his retirement was a "joyous" occasion of celebration.<ref name=ret2>{{cite news|first=Nicole|last=Jeffery|title=Thorpe looks up from black line|url=http://www.theaustralian.com.au/thorpe-looks-up-from-black-line/story-fna7dq6e-1111112562565|work=The Australian|date=22 November 2006|access-date=22 November 2006}}</ref>

In 2007, the French sports newspaper ''[[L'Équipe]]'' claimed that Thorpe "showed 'abnormal levels' of two banned substances in a doping test" in 2006 prior to his retirement.<ref>{{cite news|title=Doping allegations to sink Aussie swimmer Thorpe?|url=http://usatoday30.usatoday.com/sports/olympics/summer/2007-03-30-thorpe_N.htm|newspaper=[[USA Today]]|agency=[[Associated Press]]|date=31 March 2007|access-date=26 December 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141226233134/http://usatoday30.usatoday.com/sports/olympics/summer/2007-03-30-thorpe_N.htm|archive-date=26 December 2014|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=L'Equipe: Thorpe showed 'abnormal levels' of banned substances |url=http://www.utsandiego.com/sports/20070330-1643-swm-thorpe-dopingreport.html |newspaper=[[U-T San Diego]] |agency=[[Associated Press]] |publisher=[[Platinum Equity]] |date=30 March 2007 |access-date=15 January 2015 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150115095549/http://www.utsandiego.com/sports/20070330-1643-swm-thorpe-dopingreport.html |archive-date=15 January 2015 }}</ref> Thorpe denied the charges. The [[Australian Sports Anti-Doping Authority]] (ASADA) confirmed that they had investigated Thorpe in the past, for abnormal levels of [[testosterone (medication)|testosterone]] and [[luteinising hormone]] (LH), but had dismissed the result.<ref>{{cite news|first=Jacquelin|last=Magnay|title=Thorpe likely to be cleared|url=http://www.theage.com.au/news/swimming/thorpe-likely-to-be-cleared/2007/04/05/1175366408414.html?page=fullpage|newspaper=[[The Age]]|location=Melbourne, Australia|date=6 April 2007|access-date=20 April 2007|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150921122522/http://www.theage.com.au/news/swimming/thorpe-likely-to-be-cleared/2007/04/05/1175366408414.html?page=fullpage|archive-date=21 September 2015|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=Thorpe maintains innocence, vows to clear name|url=http://www.abc.net.au/sport/content/200704/s1886783.htm|publisher=Australian Broadcasting Corporation|date=1 April 2007|access-date=2 April 2007|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071112170545/http://www.abc.net.au/sport/content/200704/s1886783.htm|archive-date=12 November 2007|url-status=dead}}</ref> FINA dropped its investigation and closed the case.<ref name="finadrop">{{cite news|title=Thorpe in clear over drugs test|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/other_sports/swimming/7082485.stm|publisher=BBC|date=7 November 2007|access-date=7 November 2007}}</ref> Thorpe has never been found to have used banned substances, and has denied allegations against him while also speaking out against drug use. He has called for the introduction of blood testing, promised to surrender a frozen sample for retrospective testing and repeatedly criticised [[International Swimming Federation|FINA]] for drug-testing procedures that he regards as inadequate.<ref name="ABC profile"/><ref name="Talbot blood"/><ref>{{cite news|title=Hall backs Thorpe over drug use claims|url=http://www.abc.net.au/sport/content/200408/s1168739.htm|publisher=Australian Broadcasting Corporation|date=4 August 2004|access-date=10 November 2006|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070601185830/http://www.abc.net.au/sport/content/200408/s1168739.htm|archive-date=1 June 2007|url-status=dead}}</ref>