THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
SINGAPORE — Former Olympic swimming champion Ian Thorpe placed seventh in the 100-metre individual medley final at a World Cup event in Singapore on Friday in his first competitive race in five years.
The Australian finished in 56.33 seconds — which was better than his heat time of 56.74 seconds — but well behind South African winner Chad Le Clos’ time of 53.06 seconds.
The 29-year-old Thorpe retired in 2006 after winning five Olympic gold medals and 11 world titles and setting 13 individual world records. He announced his comeback in February.
Thorpe is also set to race in the 100-metre butterfly event on Saturday.