UPSC Prelims 2002 Q117: Current Affairs – Other Sports & Personalities
Who among the following won six gold medals in the 9th FINA - World Swimming
Championship held in Fukuoka, Japan in the year 2001?
- (a) Grant Hackett
- (b) Ian Thorpe
- (c) Michael Phelps
- (d) Roman Sloudnov
Answer: (b) Ian Thorpe
Explanation
Six-gold winner at the 2001 FINA World Championships in Fukuoka
| Swimmer | Result |
|---|---|
| Ian Thorpe (Australia) | Won six gold medals at Fukuoka 2001 |
| Grant Hackett | Won the 1,500 m and other titles, but not six |
| Michael Phelps | Was then a teenager, a silver medallist in 2001 |
| Roman Sloudnov | Russian breaststroke swimmer |
Australia's Ian Thorpe won six gold medals at the 2001 World Championships in Fukuoka, Japan, a record at a single championships at the time. Phelps was only 16 and became a world champion later.
Answer: (b) Ian Thorpe.
Why each option is right or wrong
- (a) Incorrect. Grant Hackett did not win six golds.
- (b) CORRECT. Ian Thorpe won six golds at Fukuoka.
- (c) Incorrect. Michael Phelps did not win six golds in 2001.
- (d) Incorrect. Roman Sloudnov did not win six golds.
Key point
Thorpe, 'the Thorpedo': 5 Olympic golds, 11 world titles; Fukuoka 2001 six golds.
Remember
Ian Thorpe: six golds at Fukuoka 2001.
Common mistakes
- Choosing Michael Phelps, the later multi-gold star.
- Picking his teammate Grant Hackett, who won fewer golds.
- Not linking the Fukuoka championships with Thorpe.
Exam tip
Six golds in 2001 means Thorpe; Phelps's era came later.
Sources
- FINA — World Championships results 2001
- Encyclopaedia Britannica — Ian Thorpe