It was mental belief that inspired me to start training again in 2011, after that I had to get the physical aspect up to scratch. But I wasn't good enough and I have a lot of confidence in the Australian squad.

Australian swimming legend and five-time gold medallist Ian Thorpe speaking to Al Jazeera's Jo Tilley yesterday. When she asked how long it would have taken him to qualify for the Olympics he jested 'six years'.