Yahoo Lifestyle Outpouring of support for Ian Thorpe
Australian Olympic swimmer Ian Thorpe opened up about his sexuality in an interview with Sir Michael Parkinson that aired on July 13.
The 31-year-old five-time gold medalist said: "I'm comfortable saying I'm a gay man. And I don't want people to feel the same way I did. You can grow up, you can be comfortable and you can be gay."
Thorpie made his annoucement during the no-holds-barred interveiw with Sir Michael Parkinson. Source: Channel 10
Since the interview aired there has been an outpouring of support for the swimming champ, praising the star for making the brave decision to reveal the truth about his sexuality.
Aussies including Magda Szubanski, Dave Hughes and Ricki-Lee Coulter, along with fellow sporting stars Stephanie Rice and Brett lee have all come out praising the star.
So happy & proud for @IanThorpe Coming Out in his own time on his own terms. Wish you all things good darling boy. It's fun & free Out here!
— Magda Szubanski (@MagdaSzubanski) July 12, 2014
Once again im sitting in my lounge room crying and cheering for you with a heart filled with pride. Good on ya Thorpie! X
— Ricki-Lee (@TheRickiLee) July 13, 2014
Thorpie is and will always be a superstar in my eyes!!! @IanThorpe
— Stephanie Rice (@ItsStephRice) July 12, 2014
Rumours surrounding the Olympian's sexuality first emerged as his swimming career took off during his teenage years however he denied being gay.
"A part of me didn't know if Australia wanted its champion to be gay. I am telling not only Australia, I'm telling the world that I am and I hope this makes it easier for others now", he explained.
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He added of his decision to keep his sexuality a secret: "What happened was, I felt that the lie had become so big that I didn't want people to question my integrity and a little bit of ego comes into this. I didn't want people to think that I had lied about everything."
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Thorpie added that he felt 'a little bit ashamed' that he did not come out earlier on, but revealed: "I'm not straight and this is only something that very recently – we're talking in the past two weeks – I've been comfortable telling the closest people around me. I'm pleased to say that in telling them, and especially my parents, they told me that they love me and they support me. And for young people out there, know that that's usually what the answer is."
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