Ian Thorpe predicted Aussie sprint king Kyle Chalmers would need a faster first 50m if he were to topple America s Caeleb Dressel because of the way he breathes - as the 23-year-old missed out on a gold medal by 0.06 seconds.
Chalmers, who came from nowhere to win gold as an 18-year-old at the 2016 Rio Olympics, was looking to become the first Aussie to repeat as the fastest man in water.
The country s most decorated Olympian Thorpe, who has nine medals including five gold, said before the race Chalmers tendency to breathe on his right side would mean he wouldn t be able to see Dressel or the other swimmers for the last 50.
Aussie sprint king Kyle Chalmers just missed out on the gold during his 100m freestyle final at the Tokyo Olympics - and swimming legend Ian Thorpe says it could be due to the lane he was in.
Chalmers recorded the sixth fastest time during the semi finals which put him in lane seven over on the far side of the pool for the main event.
Not placing in the top of the qualifiers for the final may have been Chalmers undoing, Thorpe said.
This is because the defending Olympic champ only breathes to his right when participating in sprint events which meant that in the final 50m, Chalmers couldn t see America s Caeleb Dressel who ultimately took the gold.
Australia have been stunned in the final of the women s 4x200m freestyle
Ian Thorpe questioned Australia s order in the lead up to the event on Thursday
All four members of team who qualified first in the heats were dumped for final
Ariarne Titmus started the relay with Emma McKeon second - both trailed China
China led from start to finish despite a fast finishing Katie Ledecky for the USA
James Magnussen unleashes on Australian coaches over 4x200m selection dailymail.co.uk - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from dailymail.co.uk Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.