Like every other swimming prodigy of the past three decades, Thorpe's achievements are measured against those of Mark Spitz, the American who won a record seven gold medals at the 1972 Munich Games.

When Thorpe won three gold and two silver medals as a 17-year-old at the Sydney Olympics, his destiny seemed assured.

The Australian took the bait and started to prepare himself for a crack at the magnificent seven. The early signs were promising.

He won six gold medals at the 2001 world championships in Japan but the events of September 11 suddenly reshaped his thinking.

Thorpe was holidaying in New York that day and was on his way to the World Trade Center when the first hijacked plane struck the twin towers.

The harrowing experience made him reassess his priorities and he vowed not to waste another day of his life. After finishing with six golds at the Commonwealth Games a year later, Thorpe abandoned his quest of pursuing Spitz.

"It's not me," Thorpe said. "I'm not doing something to have accolades or the recognition."

HIGH PRICE

Thorpe's success in Sydney had already made him rich beyond his dreams but it came at a high price. He is a national hero in Australia but cannot lead a normal life.

He is mobbed by fans every time he walks down the street and his every move is scrutinized by the media and public. Earlier this year, he was moved to address rumours about his sexuality after Sydney's gay community adopted him as an icon.

For the record, he said he was not homosexual but was flattered by the description.

Thorpe's decision not to chase Spitz's record not only lifted the pressure from him, but also helped him to clear his mind. He had begun to tire of the grind of training and needed fresh inspiration if he was to create his own legacy.

He found it in Tracey Menzies, his former high school art teacher, who was appointed as his coach after he split with his long-time coach Doug Frost.

Menzies encouraged Thorpe to explore life outside the pool and he took her advice, meeting presidents and queens, the rich and the poor, embracing his passion for fashion and developing his own range of underwear.

"If I didn't have a coach like Tracey, I wouldn't be swimming," Thorpe said.

Menzies has revamped Thorpe's training techniques and is convinced her methods will improve his speed and increase his chances of more Olympic gold in Athens but not everyone is convinced.

FAVOURITE EVENT

Once a serial record breaker, Thorpe has not set a world mark for two years and critics point the finger at Menzies.

She was blamed when Thorpe slipped off the blocks and was disqualified for a false start during the heats of the 400 metres freestyle at the Australian Olympic trials.

Thorpe lost an appeal against his disqualification but was thrown an unexpected lifeline a month later when his friend Craig Stevens, who had finished second at the trials, gave up his spot in the 400 to concentrate on his other events.

Thorpe had already qualified for the 100 and 200 freestyle as well as the three relays but the 400 is his favourite event and his disqualification became a national saga.

He has not been beaten over the distance for seven years, winning his first world title as a 15-year-old in 1998, and is considered a near certainty to win gold in Athens.

His reinstatement in the 400 means Thorpe will swim six events at Athens, one short of Spitz, but enough for him to still create his own slice of history.

No one has ever won the 100, 200 and 400 treble at the Olympics but the 21-year-old Thorpe believes he has a great chance. Thorpe is the world record holder and world champion for 200 and 400 and was a close third in the 100 at last year's world titles.

Australia are favourites to win the 4x200 and also hold strong prospects in the other two men's relays, giving Thorpe a real shot of picking up six medals to take his overall tally to 11.

Spitz also won 11 medals in his career in his two appearances at the Olympics but if everything goes according to plan Thorpe will be swimming at a third Olympics in Beijing in 2008, setting a new standard to fulfil his own destiny.