Foster backing Thorpe

I'm biased because he's a good friend but I'll be backing Ian Thorpe in his battle to remain king of the pool at the Olympics. Yet I think he and Michael Phelps could end up battling out an honourable draw, with the Aussie taking the race of the Games, the American bagging a hatful of medals and the biggest winner being the sport itself.

I went on holiday with Thorpey in Italy last year and we keep in touch regularly, so I know Phelps's arrival on the scene has been a real motivation for him.

Make no mistake, in terms of all-round ability in every stroke, Phelps must already be the best swimmer we've seen. There's no weakness. He's not bigged-up as the new Mark Spitz for nothing, yet you must remember how much he has to do to match Thorpey - already a legend in his own right.

I'm not saying Phelps won't be able to handle the pressure, but he's trying to become the master of every event and that is incredibly difficult. It's going to be fascinating to see how he copes with the sort of special demands of Olympic expectation, such as the nerves, that Thorpe had to negotiate four years ago.

The 200metres freestyle could be the best individual attraction of the Games and I know Thorpey is desperate to win this time after losing out in Sydney.

He will land the gold in that one but, even if he does, he's not going to match Phelps in the medal-winning stakes because I think the American will end up with five or six golds.