Jacco Verhaeren, coach of Pieter van den Hoogenband, said the Australian's biggest attribute was his determination.

CNN: Titanic battle set for 100m final

At the Sydney Games, Dutch ace van den Hoogenband pipped Thorpe to both the 100 and 200 freestyle crowns.

CNN: Titanic battle set for 100m final

"Another silver for the collection, " shrugged van den Hoogenband, who now has two golds, two silvers and two bronze medals from the last two Games.

CNN: Titanic battle set for 100m final

American superstar Michael Phelps, who was third behind Thorpe and van den Hoogenband in Monday's 200m freestyle "race of the century", did not contest the 100 meters free.

CNN: Titanic battle set for 100m final

ATHENS, Greece (CNN) -- Ian Thorpe and world record holder Pieter van den Hoogenband are set for a classic confrontation in the 100 meters freestyle final on Wednesday with the Australian seeking to pull off an unprecedented 100m, 200m and 400m Olympic treble.

CNN: Titanic battle set for 100m final