The five-time Olympic gold medallist is suffering from two potentially deadly infections and is undergoing treatment at a Sydney Hospital.
It is believed that Thorpe contracted the infections after undergoing a series of surgeries for his shoulder at a hospital in his Swiss home town of Ronco sopra Ascona. He has since returned to Sydney to undergo medical treatment.
“He’s under very good supervision and he’s battling and he’s unlucky,” James Erskine, Thorpe’s manager told reporters brushing off rumours that the athlete may lose the use of his left arm.
“He’s unlucky and how long it’s going to take to clear up, I don’t know. He’s battling it out in hospital … he’s a sick boy.”
This sin’t the first time Thorpe’s health has come under media scrutiny, only a few months ago it was revealed the swimmer was battling depression.
Thorpe’s father told Australian media that his son was seeking help after an incident in which he was found disorientated on a mixture of antidepressants and pain medication for a shoulder injury.
The unfortunate series of events follow an ill-fated attempt to compete in the 2012 London Olympics.
Erskine assured reporters that while Thorpe’s condition was serious it was not life-threatening. The 31-year-old is said to be in good spirits, despite the seriousness of the infections and has received a number of visitors in hospital.
