Olympics - Australian swimmers leave Thorpe era behind

By Julian Linden

SYDNEY (Reuters) - Ian Thorpe has hung up his goggles prematurely but his legacy lives on in a new generation of Australian swimmers.

The Thorpedo stunned the swimming world when he retired in 2006 aged just 24, worn down by the constant grind of training and yearning for a normal life away from the spotlight.

Doomsayers predicted his departure would sink Australian swimming for years to come.

Instead, Australia has an array of new talent ready to emulate the feats of Thorpe, Grant Hackett, Michael Klim, Susie O'Neill, Petria Thomas and Jodie Henry.

Eight world records were broken at last month's national trials in the same Sydney pool where the 2000 Olympics were held, with plenty of promise for Australia's first-time Olympians in Beijing this August.

For a country surrounded by oceans, swimming is more than just a sport in Australia. It is way of life and their Olympic champions are feted like rock stars.

Australia has a fine tradition in swimming but there is an extra buzz of excitement about the 42-member team for Beijing, which has an average age of just 21.

Hackett, 20 when he won his first Olympic gold medal in Sydney eight years ago, is now an elder statesman in the team and chasing an unprecedented third straight title in 1,500 metres freestyle.