Thorpe Named World's Top Athlete -- March 6, 2002

SYDNEY, March 6. AUSTRALIA'S Ian Thorpe was named
last week the world's most outstanding athlete in 2001 by the International Amateur Athletic Association (IAAA).

Thorpe, 19, won a record six gold medals at last year's World Championships in Fukuka, Japan, and set world records in the 200, 400 and 800 meter freestyle, while also swimming on Australia's world record-setting 4x200m freestyle relay. He will receive his award at a function in New York on March 27.

Thorpe was selected by a panel of sports experts as the winner of the 22nd annual American-International Athlete Trophy, formerly known as the Jesse Owens Award. US track star Marion Jones won the award for 2000.