Swimming: Thorpe aims to go even faster

Ian Thorpe has delivered an ominous warning to his rivals by promising to improve every year to stay ahead of the competition. The 20-year-old goes into the World Cup meeting in Melbourne, which starts today, looking to demonstrate that he remains the same outstanding swimmer.

A tough training schedule under his new coach, Tracey Menzies, will be put to the test for the first time, although Thorpe has told his supporters not to read too much into his result when he contests the 50 metres freestyle on Sunday.

Thorpe, who has just been named Swimmer of the Year for the second successive year, won 11 gold medals at the Common-wealth Games and Pan Pacific Championships. Nevertheless, he has adopted a new approach under Menzies, doing 19 sessions a week but only 10 in the pool with the rest involving running and yoga. "I am enjoying it, but it's tough – it's physically very demanding," he said.

"It's of little importance if I swim poorly or well under a new coach at this competition," Thorpe said of the 50m freestyle, where he is only ranked ninth in the world. "I am improving and I think I will be swimming faster next year and the year after. I would like to make the final and I should make the final."