体坛英语新闻：Thorpe's bid for Olympics fails at Australian trials

CANBERRA, March 18 (Xinhua) -- Ian Thorpe's chance of qualifying for the London Olympic Games has been wasted out as he failed to make the semifinals of 100m freestyle on Sunday at Australia's selection trials.

The five-time Olympic champion, who quit competitive swimming in 2006 and only returned to pool late last year, only ranked the 21st in the heats of the 100m freestyle with a time of 50.35 seconds.

Only the top 16 advancing to the semifinals, and world champion James Magnussen led the qualifiers in 48.26.

Earlier, Thorpe failed to reach the final of the 200m freestyle, which was considered his best chance of qualifying for London 2012, finishing 12th of the 16 semifinalists.

Thorpe needed to finish first or second in the 100 or 200 to earn individual selection for the London Olympics, or place in the top six in either event to be considered for a selection as a relay swimmer.

On his competitive honor books, Thorpe won five Olympic gold medals, 11 world championships and setting 13 world records after bursting onto the scene in 1999.

He was the most globally recognized swimmer until Michael Phelps emerged.