Australian Swimmer Ian "The Thorpedo" Thorpe Sidelined After Devastating Post-Surgery Infection, May Lose Arm

Ian Thorpe is battling an infection that may end his competitive career.

Following a surgery on his shoulder the Australian swimmer's career is in limbo, and some reports have claimed he may lose use his left arm entirely.

“It’s serious, but it’s not life-threatening,” Thorpe’s agent, James Erskine, told the Australian Associated Press on April 8. “From a competitive point of view — he will not be swimming competitively again, I don’t think.”

In Feb. 2014, Thorpe, who has been open with his struggles with depression, was admitted into a rehabilitation center in Australia. Prior to arriving to rehab, Thorpe had been found wandering around the streets near his parent's home in Sydney and was said to be "disoriented." One week before entering rehab, Thorpe had undergone shoulder surgery and was placed on painkillers, which some believe led him to relapse on alcohol. Others insisted that his "disoriented" state was the result of his prescription medication for his shoulder injury combined with antidepressants.

A short time after the surgery, Thorpe contracted an infection, said to be similar in nature to the potentially deadly Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA). Since the diagnosis, Thorpe has been put on and continues to take antibiotics. Still, he could lose the use of his arm.

Jim Wilson, chief sports corresponded for Australian broadcaster Channel Seven, also spoke of Thorpe's health in an interview with BBC World Service.

"It's been a tough 12 months for Ian," he said. "He's been suffering from depression and gone through his own battle with the demons. Let's hope he can get himself right-he's an icon of Australian sport and a worldwide superstar."

"I don't think he'll swim again," Wilson added. "The tell-tale signs are his left shoulder and left arm give him a lot of trouble. Forget about swimming again, it's whether he can use his left arm for the rest of his life. Right at this point in time there have been some fairly bad complications."