Swimming: Thorpe's mighty 'flippers' raise suspicion

By SUZANNE McFADDEN

The big feet of swimming superman Ian Thorpe have kicked up a new controversy - sparked by an obviously envious German rival.

Olympian Chris Carol Bremmer reckons Thorpe's size 17 flippers could be the result of human growth hormone - an implication which has infuriated Thorpe's family.

Thorpe's dad, Ken, says his boy's feet have been monsters since he was born, and it's hereditary. The family says it's simply ludicrous that Australia's wonder teenager would have taken illegal hormones to enhance his performance in the pool.

Australian sports doctors yesterday scoffed at the claim, saying Thorpe would be facing huge medical problems - for one, he would be grotesquely tall - if he had abused HGH.

Anyway, his feet look normal compared to American basketball star Shaquille O'Neal's. He fills size 22 boots.

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