Скачать или смотреть Pieter van den Hoogenband announces his retirement - December 2008 Eindhoven [HQ]

Ian Thorpe was a surprise guest as his great swimming rival Pieter van den Hoogenband announced his official retirement from the sport in the Netherlands yesterday.

The 30-year-old Dutchman had not swum competitively since the 100m freestyle final at the Beijing Olympics in August.

Van den Hoogenband was chasing a third consecutive 100m freestyle gold, but finished fifth to Frenchman Alain Bernard.

Given an emotional standing ovation at a ceremony in Eindhoven, Van den Hoogenband kept to his promise of ending his career on December 7.

"I competed for the last time in Beijing, but I didn't want to leave you all before saying goodbye and, above all, thank you," Van den Hoogenband said.

The arrival of the retired Thorpe at the ceremony was a major surprise.

Thorpe said he "didn't want to miss such an important moment in Pieter's life".

Van den Hoogenband was one of the stars of the Sydney Olympics in 2000, where he won gold in the men's 100m and 200m freestyle, leaving Thorpe with silver in the 200m.

However, the Australian won a further three golds in Sydney, from the 400m and 4 x 100m and 4 x 200m relays.

In Athens four years later, Van den Hoogenband left Thorpe with the bronze as he sped to a second consecutive 100m gold.

Thorpe made amends by winning gold in the 200m, with Van den Hoogenband taking the silver.