'Live Your Dreams'

They say it's always best to go in glory rather than with a whimper; to quit a sport at your highest peak so people remember you for your achievements rather than embarassments of being the one who eventually got beaten by a younger, more potential competitor. A lot have tried to- to have a final shot at creating history and end it with a big bang, but have had their bright light bulb dimmed instead. Take Zidane for example. Sent away from the World Cup final after the vicious but not unjustified head butt. How unprofessional and what a disgrace.

And so, it is with slight pleasure that I officially announce Ian Thorpe's retirement from professional swimming in my blog. Mourning over the fact that he will never create the phenomenal history he did a few years back or over the fact that I won't get to experience his sensational swim live is pretty useless. I should rejoice. This is what he wants, what he's after. It was his brave and very wise decision after all. It doesn't make me hate him. Why should I? Because he dashed my hopes of seeing him live at the 2008 Beijing Games? How could I be so petty and selfish when this great Australian swimmer, easily the world's most after Mark Spitz (forget about Phelps, his time will come), has served as nothing but my inspiration and hope during all these years? To say his feats, which literally made tsunami-like waves since he was propelled into the limelight at the mere age of 17, is amazing is an understatement. Ian is more than just great. He's more than a swimmer in an Adidas body suit, yellow swim cap and size 17 flipper-like feet. He is a phenomenal individual.

(In his trademark suit. Yet another victory. This pic was transformed into a drawing to me by Yoke Teng as a farewell gift. Thank you for believing in me.)

For someone who started swimming at the age of three, out of sheer coercion by her mom, I never realised swimming would have such an effect on me. Being a rebellious kid, I resented being sent to swim classes at Hilton Brown Swim School. I prefered watching cartoons and having I-wanna-be-a-Princess fantasies. I couldn't do back floats and would get tired after swimming a quarter of a round around the pool which to me, in the eyes of the kid, was agonisingly long. I never did swimming competitively. It became more of a hobby, a weekend excercise regime when the weather was fine. I gradually grew to love it. The sloshy sound as the water gushed past me as I kicked off the wall. The chlorinated water became on of my favourite scents. I loved the look of the tiled stripped floor of the pool moving under me as I picked up speed, pushing me further... and faster.

( Ian is not cute. He is hot. Hot with a warm heart.)

It was during the Sydney Olympics that Ian Thorpe came into my pre-teen life. His record- breaking history along with his upsetting revelation of his ill brother-in-law as his inspiration and his humble opinion on life was what that made me admire him so much. There Ian was, on the top of the world, his future assured, but not letting the fame or anything get to him. He knew no limits and continued to push himself to achieve greater heights. The only thing that mattered to him was his satisfaction and nothing else. He believed that impossibility is a potential and that everyone should have a dream. Ian was more than just a pretty face. He had sound and measured judgement, and to me, left a lot of memorable quotes and inspiring sayings. His most famous quote, 'Live Your Dreams'. (Written specifically to Michael Williams who won the battle against cancer)

See. Ian gave me a reason to hope. I had big dreams. And because of him, I wasn't ashamed to admit to them. I wanted to be just like him if not better. I wanted to win an Olympic gold. And every weekend, whenever my sis and I hit the pool, I'd push myself that bit further to realise my dream. I had internal visions of what success would be like. And these thoughts served as my salvation. Looking back and assessing my progress a few years back, it seemed absurd to have such daunting dreams. Nevertheless, I was glad that I had a reason to hope, someone to cling onto during a supposedly dark time of a teen's life. We were supposed to find ourselves. And I found myself. I had a reason to dream, to hope. I am a person of great hopes and ambition. Because of Ian, I became the person who I am.

(One of my all time favourite pics of him. Here with Michael Klim)

So no. I am not upset that Ian has decided to leave the world stage. A tad bit disappointed but not shattered as I know he'll contniue to make waves outside the pool and still be around. He's been an inspiring individual and hopefully will continue to be so. I was never deeply in love with, nor was I obsessed with him. But yes, people, I remember a stage when I was all crazy and gaga over him. It wasn't obsession, it was inspiration that was driving me. To meet him and get his autograph is still on my to-do list, that has never changed. The only thing that's changed is that in the next Games, the meets won't be as terribly as exciting and Phelps would probably clinch the medals Ian left for him.