CANBERRA, Aug. 4 (Xinhua) -- Australian Swimming champion Ian Thorpe has decided to pursue legal proceedings against a French newspaper and a journalist he alleged defamed him by publishing claims he returned samples with "abnormal levels" of two banned substances.

A report written by journalist Damien Ressiot and published by the daily sports newspaper L'Equipe in March last year said Thorpe gave a sample in 2006 which showed abnormal levels of testosterone and a luteinizing hormone.

The New South Wales Supreme Court in Sydney on Monday set Sept. 22 for lawyers on both sides to meet and decide on proceedings, according to a report of Australian Associated Press.

Lawyer Tony O'Reilly said Thorpe wanted to repair the damage done to his reputation by the claims.

Ian James Thorpe is a former Australian freestyle swimmer. He has won five Olympic gold medals, the most won by any Australians, and in 2001 he became the first person to win six gold medals in one World Championship.

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