Local pressure
Ian Thorpe entered the 2000 Sydney Games carrying the hopes of Australia on his broad shoulders. Despite being just 17 years old, Thorpe showed he could handle the pressure. Racing in the 400m freestyle on the first day of competition, he won the gold medal and broke his own world record.
Golden Games
Just one hour later, Thorpe beat Gary Hall Jr of the US in a thrilling finish to the 4x100m freestyle relay. However, in a surprise result, he had to settle for silver behind Pieter van den Hoogenband of the Netherlands in the 200m freestyle. Thorpe finished the Sydney Games with a haul of three gold and two silver medals.
Athens 2004
At the 2004 Athens Games, Thorpe continued to dominate. He won gold in both the 200m and 400m freestyle and claimed silver in the 4x200m freestyle. He also won a bronze in the 100m freestyle and came 6th in the 4x100m freestyle relay.
Sweet revenge
The 200m freestyle was the most anticipated race in Athens. Thorpe finished in a new Olympic record time of 1’44”71 ahead of the American Michael Phelps and Pieter van den Hoogenband, his conqueror in Sydney.