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Ian Thorpe is in hospital battling a serious infection

Australian swimmer Ian Thorpe was recently placed in intensive care after contracting an infection following shoulder surgery that could risk permanent use of his left arm, reports claim.

The five-time Olympian, 31, contracted the illness following shoulder surgery at a hospital near his home in the Swiss town of Ronco spore Ascona.

He now remains in intensive care in a hospital in Sydney.

Ian Thorpe is in hospital battling a career-ending illness. Source: Getty

His agent James Erskine confirmed to the Australian Associated Press that he “is fighting a serious but not life-threatening illness and will not be swimming competitively again."

The beloved athlete last competed in the 2004 Athens Olympic Games, having failed to make the team for the London Olympics in 2012.

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Since then he has endured a number of illnesses, including a longtime struggle with mental illness.

In February, he was placed in rehab for depression after being found in a disoriented state, his agent confirmed that he was on a mix of antidepressants and painkillers due to his injured shoulder. However, he did not immediately respond to a request for comment.