Off Track ..... Thorpe: My comments on Phelps misquoted

Australia's Ian Thorpe says his comments about Michael Phelps, which helped spur Phelps to a record eight gold medals, were misquoted.

Thorpe, who defeated Phelps in the 200m freestyle four years ago in Athens, was repeatedly quoted as saying he doubted that Phelps could equal or exceed Mark Spitz's record of seven golds at the 1972 Olympics.

His comments turned out to be an incentive for Phelps, who kept a copy of Thorpe's quote in his locker.