Thorpe gets 400m lifeline

Ian Thorpe has been cleared to defend his 400metres freestyle title at the Athens Olympics when his Australian team-mate Craig Stevens pulls out of the event to concentrate on the 1500m.

Stevens has not yet made a decision to miss the 400m but Australian Olympic Committee president John Coates said today: "People acting on behalf of Craig have been doing the rounds to sell the story. We anticipate he's going to withdraw."

Thorpe, 21, the 400m freestyle world record holder, was disqualified at last month's Olympic qualifiers when he lost his balance and fell into the water before his heat.

The AOC say there is no likelihood of a legal challenge if Thorpe replaces Stevens ahead of Josh Krogh, who finished third to Grant Hackett and Stevens at the trials.