An Olympic swimming legend is being treated for a serious infection and fears are growing after reports surfaced that he could lose the use of his left arm.
According to Network Seven, Ian Thorpe is in intensive care after he contracted two bugs during surgery in Switzerland. He is now being treated in Australia.
Seven reported that Thorpe’s agent, James Erskine, has denied the earlier stories that Thorpe will lose the use of his arm, but said he will never swim competitively again.
The Daily Mail noted that the embattled swimmer entered a rehab facility in February and was treated for depression and painkillers after he was found walking around Sydney dazed and disoriented. His management team claimed that the painkillers he was taking were due to a shoulder operation he had undergone.
The swimming great is a decorated Olympian winning five gold medals, three silver medals and one Bronze.
The 31-year-old attempted to qualify for the 2012 Olympics in London but did not make the cut in the 200-meter and 100-meter freestyle disciplines.