Matt Hasselbeck

His brother Tim is a quarterback for the Washington Redskins, and his sister-in-law Elisabeth is a co-host of The View. Athens, 2004. Hasselbeck was named to the Pro Bowl in 2003. Sydney, 2000. After winning the overtime coin toss in a 2003 playoff game against Green Bay, Hasselbeck said "We want the ball and we're gonna score." On the ensuing possession he threw an interception that was returned for a touchdown. He has recently bought a $2.9 million house in Caringbah, a southern suburb of Sydney. Hasselbeck would perform well as the Seahawks starting quarterback after a rock 2001 campaign, in spite of passing to a receiving corps lamented for losing many close games at the last minute due to dropped passes. The race attracted unprecedented media attention in Australia, and Thorpe's victory made him one of the most celebrated Australian athletes of all time.

His team jersey is #8. Thorpe's performances in Sydney and Athens have made him a national hero in Australia, a country which reveres sporting stars. His victory in the 200 metres at Athens pitted him against American swimming phenomenon Michael Phelps, Sydney gold medallist Pieter van den Hoogenband of the Netherlands and his fellow Australian Grant Hackett. He began his pro career with the Packers, where he backed up Brett Favre, making his debut in 1999. In 2001, the Packers traded Hasselback and their first (17th overall) and seventh round draft picks to the Seahawks for their first round pick (10th overall). Instead, his other enthusiasm appears to be fashion, as an ambassador for Armani clothing and his own range of designer jewellery. He was drafted out of Boston College by the Green Bay Packers in the sixth round of the 1998 NFL Draft (187th overall). His lack of interest in (and aptitude for) other sports is well-known. Matt Hasselbeck (born September 25, 1975 in Westwood, Massachusetts) is an American football quarterback for the Seattle Seahawks. He is quiet, mild-mannered, thoughtful, articulate, but extremely guarded in his statements, and he reportedly makes considerable efforts to insulate himself from the media when preparing for and during important events.

Away from the pool, Thorpe in many ways defies the stereotype of Australian sportspeople. After some deliberation, the second qualifier, Craig Stevens, withdrew from the event, and Thorpe accepted the offered place. Australia's Olympic selection rules allow for a qualifier to stand down, and for another swimmer to be selected in their place. He was disqualified from the 400 m freestyle (his best event) after making a false start.

In late March 2004 Thorpe competed in the qualification events. Thorpe's preparations for the Athens Olympics were clouded by controversy. He has however, been able to maintain a trademark six-beat kick to power away to victory in the closing stages of races, attributed to his unnaturally large feet. At 1.95 m (6 ft 5 in) and 105 kg (231 lb), he is very large for a swimmer and many thought that as he matured and continued to grow he would be unable to maintain his performance as a teenager.

Thorpe's success is based on a strong work ethic, attention to detail, flawless technique, mental strength, and a physiology suited to swimming. In total, he has broken world records (either individually or as part of a relay team) 22 times. Thorpe has also pushed Australian relay teams to unprecedented success, anchoring the winning 4x100 and 4x200 freestyle relay teams in Sydney, the first time the United States had ever been beaten in the events. He has been nicknamed "Thorpedo" by the Australian press for his swimming prowess.

His dominance has broadened to include the 200 and 400 metre freestyle (at which he holds the world record), and he is one of the fastest 100 metre freestylers in the world. Since 1998 Thorpe has completely dominated the 400 metre freestyle event, winning the event at the 2000 Summer Olympic Games, the 2001 Fukuoka World Championships (at which he won a total of six gold medals), and again in Athens. He also excelled in the 200 metre freestyle and the 200 metre butterfly. He came second to another Australian teenager, Grant Hackett, in the 400 metre freestyle, beginning a rivalry which has continued ever since.

Thorpe made his first impact in 1997, when he was selected at 14 for the Australian team at the Pan Pacific competition in Fukuoka, Japan. Instead, he followed his sister, Christina, into competitive swimming. Although Thorpe's father, Ken, excelled as a cricketer, Ian did not have the same ability. Thorpe was born in Milperra, in the western suburbs of Sydney, and was educated at East Hills High School.

Ian James Thorpe (born October 13, 1982), Australian swimmer, is regarded as one of the greatest middle-distance swimmers of all time after winning the 200 and 400 metre freestyle races at the 2004 Olympics in Athens. He has won five Olympic gold medals, more than any other Australian. Bronze : Men's 100 freestyle (48.56). Silver : Men's 4 x 200 m freestyle relay (7:07.46). Gold : 200 metre freestyle (1:44.71) - Olympic Record.

Gold : 400 metre freestyle (3:43.10). Silver : 4 x 100 metre medley relay (3:35.27). Gold : 4 x 200 metre freestyle relay (7:7.05). Gold : 4 x 100 metre freestyle relay (3:13.67).

Gold : 400 metre freestyle (3:40.59). Silver : 200 metre freestyle (1:45.83).