Ian Thorpe Tells: "I’m Gay”

Ian Thorpe. Photo: Getty Images

After years of speculation and denials, Ian Thorpe has revealed he is gay.

In an exclusive interview on Channel 10 on July 13, the five-time Olympic gold medallist told Michael Parkinson he had been living a lie. “I am not straight,” said Thorpe. “And this is only something that very recently, we’re talking in the last two weeks, I’ve been comfortable telling the closest people around me, exactly that.”

Thorpe revealed he had denied being gay due to being first asked the question as a 16-year-old. “The problem was I was asked from such a young age,” said Thorpe, 31, “and I didn’t know at this age, I was too young. But what happened was the lie had become so big, I didn’t want people to question my integrity.”

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His parents were shocked by the revelation. “My mum literally said she was shocked,” said the swimming champ, who also revealed he hoped to have his own family one day. “[But] my parents told me that they love me and they support me. And for young people out there, know that’s usually what the answer is.”

Thorpe’s coming out was met with widespread support. “It took him 15 years to change his answer [on the question of his sexuality], which is a perfect indicator of his struggle,” Olympic gold medallist diver Matthew Mitcham told Fairfax. “It would have been much harder with people asking continuously, especially when you're just not ready.”

Thorpe’s former swimming team mate Grant Hackett told the Nine Network: “He should be remembered as one of our greatest Olympians; not the guy who came out.”

“I’m looking forward to being able to get on with my life,” Thorpe told Parkinson, “to not have any secrets.”