Thorpe's sights set on record

Ian Thorpe is considering taking up a new stroke in an attempt to win a record seven gold medals at this summer's Commonwealth Games.

The Australian won three freestyle gold medals at the 2000 Sydney Olympics and six golds at last year's World Championships in Japan, but wants to try his hand at backstroke.

The 19-year-old has entered the 100 metres backstroke at next month's Australian championships in Brisbane and, if successful, may swim the event in Manchester.

"Ian has officially entered the 100m backstroke and the indication from his coach is that depending on how he goes, he might well pursue it at the Commonwealth Games," a spokesman for Swimming Australia said today. Australia's Susan O'Neill won a record six gold medals at the 1998 Commonwealth Games in Kuala Lumpur.

Thorpe won four gold medals in Malaysia as a 15-year-old but will be expected to better that haul in Manchester.

He will start as a strong favourite in the 100m, 200m and 400m freestyle individual events and will also swim the three relays, in which Australia are strong favourites.

Thorpe set a world record to win the 800m at the World Championships but because that event is not on the Commonwealth Games programme, he is looking for another race to fill the void.