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Opponents challenge Thorpe's innocence

Click the image to launch the clip Ian Thorpe's amazing abilities have come under fire. Start Archives Click here for Archives of Olympic Update.

Australia's Ian Thorpe seems poised to be the world's next swimming superstar. The 17-year-old Thorpe has set 10 world records since 1998, including three this year at the Australian Olympic trials, setting the new standards in the 200 and 400 freestyles as well as the 800 freestyle relay.

The Sydney Games might only be just the beginning. The "Thorpedo" plans to compete in the Olympics until 2008, which could see him break the record of seven gold medals held by American Mark Spitz.

Perhaps the most popular athlete in Australia, Thorpe has spent time training in United States in order to escape scrutiny. In July, German team captain Chris-Carol Bremer alleged Thorpe has been using a banned human growth hormone, as a way to find reason for the teen's size 17 feet. The allegations have upset Thorpe's father.

"How do the innocent prove their innocence?" Ken Thorpe, Ian's father, says. "That's the question I would like to ask because Ian's prepared to do anything to prove his innocence."

In hopes of squashing the rumor, Thorpe has volunteered to release the results of his next drug test to erase any doubts about his swimming records.

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