‘Serious and painful’: Aussie legend Ian Thorpe in wheelchair

Australian swimming legend Ian Thorpe has been spotted in a wheelchair arriving at the Olympic swimming trials in Brisbane.

Ian Thorpe was spotted at the Olympic trials in a wheelchair. Picture: 7News

Swimming legend Ian Thorpe has been spotted in a wheelchair on his way into the Australian Olympic Trials in Brisbane.

Thorpe, who has become a commentary star for the sport after his career, was filmed by Channel 7 heading into the event being pushed in the wheelchair while holding crutches.

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But the news isn’t too bad for Thorpe, as Channel 7 reported the sporting legend was injured while filming on a reality TV show.

Thorpe is set to feature on Celebrity Amazing Race where he competed alongside childhood friend Christian Miranda.

“We’re told Ian Thorpe is completely okay, but apparently the injury was a serious and painful one,” 7News’ Chris Reason said.

The injury hasn’t stopped the 41-year-old though as he has continued his commentary commitments on Channel 9’s coverage of the Olympic trials.

Ian Thorpe is recovering. Picture: 7News

Ian Thorpe with the 200m gold in Athens. Photo: Gregg/Porteous

Speaking on 3AW on Thursday night, Thorpe said the Australian team would be primed for a huge Olympic campaign.

“It’s been a sensational start to our Olympic selection trials, the swimmers have really been on fire,” Thorpe said.

“We’ve seen a number of world records go, great battles and the competition has been fierce. It’s great just 40 days out from the Olympics.”

Thorpe said Australia’s team is primed to go even better than they did in Tokyo, which was the most successful Olympics the team has ever had.

“We haven’t been in this position of dominance in swimming for a very long time,” Thorpe said.

It’s hard not to be excited after seeing races the likes of the 200m freestyle final, where both Ariarne Titmus and Mollie O’Callaghan swam the two fastest times in history.

The result saw Titmus claim the world record off O’Callaghan.

O’Callaghan was in tears after the event as she lost her world record, even though she lowered her previous PB by 0.37 seconds.

“One of the greatest races of all time and Ariarne’s got the world record back,” Nine commentator Mat Thompson said.

“She might be the best we’ve ever had. She’s got a chance to come back from Paris as Australia’s greatest ever swimmer.”

Giaan Rooney added: “I’m speechless. I’m speechless, 0.62 off the world record that was only broken last year.”

“You can see how disappointed Mollie is, but you can see how much Ariarne Titmus wanted that world record,” Thorpe added.

Originally published as ‘Serious and painful’: Aussie legend Ian Thorpe in wheelchair