Ian Thorpe says he expects to fail in Olympic bid

Five-time gold medalist Ian Thorpe says he expects to fail in his attempt to make the Australian Olympic team for London 2012, admitting he may have left his return to competitive swimming too late.

Thorpe, a week away from the Australian trials in Adelaide which will determine whether he qualifies for London, told Australia's Network Ten that he doesn't have high expectations of making the team after modest results in leadup events.

The 29-year-old Thorpe said, "the most realistic outcome of this is that I will most likely fail ... I wish I had another six months to do this."

Thorpe, who retired in November 2006 after setting 13 world records and winning 11 world championships gold medals, announced a comeback nearly a year ago.