Trickett thinking about retirement

The great swimsuit disgrace may claim its biggest scalp with triple Olympic champion
Libby Trickett contemplating quitting the troubled sport.
Trickett announced on Wednesday she was taking a break of a "few months" from
swimming to consider her future and has not been in the water since the farcical
FINA world championships in Rome last July.
At the age of 24 there are genuine concerns that Trickett may never return to the
pool, joining fellow Olympic great Ian Thorpe who ironically was also 24 when he
announced his retirement in 2006.
Former rival Jodie Henry is another key Australian swimmer to "take a break" from
the pool and never return.
"I am having a break at the moment and retirement is on my mind, but it is not
something that I have confirmed," Trickett said in a statement.
"I am only 24 and you are a long time retired.
"I firmly believe that you have to retire to something, not from something.
"I love swimming and everything it has done for me. I will see where my head is at
in a few months."
Coach Grant Stoelwinder said he was surprised when Trickett told him she would not
return to training after Rome and wanted to reconsider her future in the pool.
Trickett battled with her commercial and competitive responsibilities in Rome,
opting to wear her `slower' Speedo sponsored LZR suit in individual races but told
by Stoelwinder to wear the `faster' full polyurethane suits in relay events.
She finished with one silver and two bronze medals from the meet.
Stoelwinder has no doubt the troubles in Rome contributed to the loss of motivation
for Trickett.
"We went through a debrief and talked about next season and she said `I'm not sure I
want to be there'," he said.
"That took a lot out of her that whole saga ... it hurt that she was beaten and like
`well do I have to win? Do I have to do this?'
"It is just now for her to take time, think about it and live life without swimming
for a month or two or three and see if things change for her."
The former Libby Lenton married fellow swimmer Luke Trickett in April 2007 and a
desire to start a family is believed to be one factor weighing heavily in the
decision.
Stoelwinder admitted there is a real danger Trickett will quit swimming, but he
believes taking a long break will ensure she doesn't regret the decision.
"I would prefer her to do this (take a break) than to rush a retirement decision,"
he said.
"It would be great if she can find the spark again. At the moment it's not there and
there's probably other thoughts in the back of her mind."
The loss of Trickett would be a severe blow to the Dolphins as they try to rebuild
towards the 2012 Olympic Games in London after dropping to fourth on the medal tally
in Rome.
"If she does comeback it will be for 2012," said Stoelwinder.
"That is where we need her as a country.
"She is a vital member ... there is no other Libby Trickett.
"They only come around every decade."