Australia name Thorpe for World Cup meets

Five-time Olympic champion Ian Thorpe was Friday named in Australia's team for the World Cup meets in Singapore, Beijing and Tokyo, confirming his return to international swimming. Thorpe, who retired in 2006 but is back in the pool aiming for next year's London Olympics, will compete in all three Asian legs of the World Cups, starting in Singapore on November 4-5. This will followed by Beijing (November 8-9) and Tokyo (November 12-13). Fellow Olympic gold medallist Libby Trickett will also make her international comeback at the same events. "I'm excited about being part of an Australian swim team again after all these years," said Thorpe, who will join them from his training base in Switzerland, where he has been preparing with coach Guennadi Touretski. "The reality for me is I'm now at the next stage of my preparation and getting ready to race competitively, and I'm really looking forward to catching up with everyone in Singapore." Swimming Australia head coach Leigh Nugent said the three meets will provide Thorpe and Trickett with the opportunity to race and gain vital experience in the lead up to London. "I know both athletes have been working hard since making their intentions clear about returning to the competition pool," said Nugent. "While I won't be focusing too much on their results, I'll be very interested to see how they prepare themselves and go through their race processes over the series of meets." Thorpe, 28, whose classic freestyle technique earned him five Olympic gold medals, 11 world titles and 13 world records in his prime, has not raced since 2006, while Trickett, 26, has been out of international action since 2009. Joining the comeback duo will be experienced Olympians including Eamon Sullivan, Brenton Rickard, Jessicah Schipper and Kylie Palmer.