Editing Ian Thorpe (section)

==Athletic attributes==
Thorpe's success has been attributed to his work ethic, mental strength, powerful kick, ability to accelerate and a physiology suited to swimming. This led former Australian head coach [[Don Talbot]] to label him as "the greatest swimmer the world has seen".<ref name=talb/> Although ''Swimming World'' labelled Thorpe's technique as "extraordinary" and "superior",<ref name="swiminfo tech">{{cite news |title = World Cup VIII: German Coach Accuses Thorpe of Doping |url = http://www.swimmingworldmagazine.com/lane9/news/1192.asp |work=Swimming World |date = 3 February 2000 |access-date =21 November 2006 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20070601163132/http://www.swimmingworldmagazine.com/lane9/news/1192.asp |archive-date = 1 June 2007|url-status=dead}}</ref> Talbot disagreed, stating his belief that Thorpe relied on his kick too heavily at the expense of his arms. He also cited Thorpe's ability to manage his workload and his day-to-day recovery between races during a meet as a deficiency.<ref name=talb>Talbot, pp. 221–229.</ref> Thorpe was known for using his trademark six-beat kick to power away from his rivals in the closing stages of races, the effectiveness of which was attributed to his unusually large [[shoe size|size 17]] feet.<ref name = "ABC profile"/><ref name="iht.com">{{cite news|first=Christopher|last=Clarey|title=Ian Thorpe, Australian hero, throws in the towel|date=21 November 2006|access-date=26 April 2007|url=http://www.iht.com/articles/2006/11/21/sports/SWIM.php|work=International Herald Tribune|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061127075356/http://www.iht.com/articles/2006/11/21/sports/SWIM.php|archive-date=27 November 2006|url-status=live}}</ref>

Following his retirement, head coach of the US men's swimming team [[Bob Bowman (coach)|Bob Bowman]]—who also mentors [[Michael Phelps]]—called Thorpe "the greatest middle-distance swimmer of all time and...the greatest relay swimmer I have seen".<ref name=ret/> Bowman further cited Thorpe's ability to raise the profile and popularity of swimming, noting that Phelps' public image was modelled on that of the Australian. [[Australian Olympic Committee]] President [[John Coates (sports administrator)|John Coates]] stated that "In 50 years from now Australians will still marvel at the feats of Ian Thorpe".<ref name=ret/> [[Dawn Fraser]], the first of only two swimmers to win the same Olympic event three times, said that Thorpe was the "greatest [freestyle] swimmer in the world",<ref name="iht.com"/><ref name=ret/> and lamented that he would not be attempting a hat-trick of 400&nbsp;m titles.<ref name="iht.com"/><ref name=ret>{{cite news|first=Nicole|last=Jeffery|title=World bids adieu to pool pioneer|date=22 November 2006|access-date=22 November 2006|url=http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/story/0,20867,20799152-2722,00.html|work=The Australian|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080918123434/http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/story/0,20867,20799152-2722,00.html|archive-date=18 September 2008|url-status=dead}}</ref>