Olympic Champion Ian Thorpe Reveals He Is Gay
Click here for reuse options!The interview, which will air on Sunday night on Channel Ten, has been described by Sir Michael as one he had wanted to do for a long time.
“Ian Thorpe has always been near the top of my list to interview. The reasons are obvious. Not many athletes can claim to be the best of all time. Ian can.”
Before he retired for the first time at the age of 24, Thorpe broke 22 world records and won five gold and three silver medals and one bronze medal at the Olympic Games.
But despite his success in the pool, Thorpe’s career has been plagued with persistent rumours about his sexuality.
In his 2012 autobiography, This is Me, Thorpe confronted the speculation head-on: ”For the record, I am not gay and all my sexual experiences have been straight. I’m attracted to women, I love children and aspire to have a family one day … I know what it’s like to grow up and be told what your sexuality is, then realising that it’s not the full reality. I was accused of being gay before I knew who I was.”
Copyright 2014 Liberaland
By: Cheston Catalano
Cheston Catalano is a Kentucky-based journalist whose work has been featured in the Chattanooga Times Free Press and the Clarksville Leaf Chronicle. He is a long-time contributor to Liberaland.
54 responses to Olympic Champion Ian Thorpe Reveals He Is Gay
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Anomaly 100 July 12th, 2014 at 14:30
The gays are comin’!
Trumbull Desi July 12th, 2014 at 15:59
Thank goodness!
Anomaly 100 July 12th, 2014 at 16:08
IKR?
mmaynard119 July 12th, 2014 at 20:33
I thought you were IKL.
Anomaly 100 July 12th, 2014 at 20:43
What’s IKL?
mmaynard119 July 12th, 2014 at 20:53
I know, left.
M D Reese July 12th, 2014 at 17:47
Got news for you…
Anomaly 100 July 12th, 2014 at 14:30
The gays are comin’!
Trumbull Desi July 12th, 2014 at 15:59
Thank goodness!
Anomaly 100 July 12th, 2014 at 16:08
IKR?
mmaynard119 July 12th, 2014 at 20:33
I thought you were IKL.
Anomaly 100 July 12th, 2014 at 20:43
What’s IKL?
mmaynard119 July 12th, 2014 at 20:53
I know, left.
M D Reese July 12th, 2014 at 17:47
Got news for you…
Kay Kristin July 12th, 2014 at 16:58
Who gives a rat’s ass????
jasperjava July 13th, 2014 at 01:03
I do, because whenever someone talented and accomplished comes out as gay, right-wing bigots get all upset and declare, “Who gives a rat’s ass????”
Watching homophobic bigots get twisted in knots is great sport.
Kay Kristin July 13th, 2014 at 07:47
The comment “who gives a rat’s ass” means just that. Who gives a rat’s ass? Nobody twisted in knots here. Just can’t figure out why someone has to proclaim their sexual preferences to the public. It’s their business. Nobody else’s. Nobody else SHOULD care if the guy is gay or not, and I certainly don’t. So I say again…who gives a rat’s ass – which means – since you apparently don’t know the difference – WHO CARES?
jasperjava July 13th, 2014 at 07:51
The fact that you care enough to post TWICE shows that you care about it a good deal. Society is evolving, and right-wing bigots like you are being left behind, crying in your soup.
Kay Kristin July 13th, 2014 at 07:58
Um, I do believe you posted twice about it as well, so….Yes, society is evolving…and what makes you think I don’t support that? What makes you think I am a right wing bigot? What makes you think I’m left behind or crying in my soup? All I’m saying is that his sexual preference is his own, and nobody should care about it but himself and his partner. How do you know that I’M not gay? I don’t feel that I have to broadcast my sexual preference to the world. So, please…do not pretend you know me or what I support or do not support. I just happen to think that there are certain things that the whole world does not have to know. Feel free to respond again and tie me on the number of responses….then maybe someone can call you a left wing bigot and accuse you of crying in your soup….you ARE, obviously, quite an angry individual. I’m sorry for you.
jasperjava July 13th, 2014 at 08:19
Angry? I’m happy that society is evolving, and I don’t go around using vulgar language like “who gives a rat’s ass” when I see evidence for it.
I’m posting about this as many times as I like, because I ***DO*** care about the evolution of society. YOU, on the other hand, by your own admission, “don’t give a rat’s ass”. But you obviously DO care, since you took the trouble to comment about it, and you’re obviously not very happy about it. Who’s the angry one, here?
History is passing you by, and your right-wing ideology is being buried. That doesn’t make me angry, it makes me happy.
Jai Sins July 13th, 2014 at 16:20
I think you got the commentators statement wrong. Its right there that it shouldnt be anyones business if you like the same sex. And I agree. Why should people have to come out that they like guys or gals. Its everyones own choice and no one else. Thought evolving was getting past sexual preference, race, gender and all the other stereotypes holding all of us back.
jasperjava July 13th, 2014 at 21:26
What I find strange is when somebody feels the need to say “who cares” (especially in crude terms). If you’re not interested in a news story, pass on to the next one without comment.
I think that making a point of aggressively expressing your lack of interest actually indicates that you HAVE to say *something*, but you’re too self-conscious to say what you actually feel. It’s a passive-aggressive way to express your disapproval without coming across as an outright bigot.
If you REALLY didn’t care, you would not comment, period.
Jai Sins July 13th, 2014 at 15:39
I totally agree with you. Who cares if he likes guys. It is his choice and he shouldnt have to tell anyone his sexual desires.
Kara Connor July 15th, 2014 at 00:42
Young people who aren’t LGBT have a variety of “possibility models” which they see every day. LGBT youth typically here a barrage of negativity and keep their silence because who would want to put themselves in the firing line at an age when just to be different in any way can make you feel ostracized. When someone who is successful in their field has the courage to be open about being LGBT it gives hope and sets an example to youngsters that they can potentially achieve their dreams, and not to be ashamed of who they are. Everyone needs some sort of positive reinforcement, especially if they are usually subject to disparaging remarks, and especially when young.
Rusty Shackleford July 15th, 2014 at 00:26
Every young gay and bisexual boy aspiring to be an olympic athlete who could use some inspiration.
Kay Kristin July 12th, 2014 at 16:58
Who gives a rat’s ass????
jasperjava July 13th, 2014 at 01:03
I do, because whenever someone talented and accomplished comes out as gay, right-wing bigots get all upset and declare, “Who gives a rat’s ass????”
Watching homophobic bigots get twisted in knots is great sport.
Kay Kristin July 13th, 2014 at 07:47
The comment “who gives a rat’s ass” means just that. Who gives a rat’s ass? Nobody twisted in knots here. Just can’t figure out why someone has to proclaim their sexual preferences to the public. It’s their business. Nobody else’s. Nobody else SHOULD care if the guy is gay or not, and I certainly don’t. So I say again…who gives a rat’s ass – which means – since you apparently don’t know the difference – WHO CARES?
jasperjava July 13th, 2014 at 07:51
The fact that you care enough to post TWICE shows that you care about it a good deal. Society is evolving, and right-wing bigots like you are being left behind, crying in your soup.
Kay Kristin July 13th, 2014 at 07:58
Um, I do believe you posted twice about it as well, so….Yes, society is evolving…and what makes you think I don’t support that? What makes you think I am a right wing bigot? What makes you think I’m left behind or crying in my soup? All I’m saying is that his sexual preference is his own, and nobody should care about it but himself and his partner. How do you know that I’M not gay? I don’t feel that I have to broadcast my sexual preference to the world. So, please…do not pretend you know me or what I support or do not support. I just happen to think that there are certain things that the whole world does not have to know. Feel free to respond again and tie me on the number of responses….then maybe someone can call you a left wing bigot and accuse you of crying in your soup….you ARE, obviously, quite an angry individual. I’m sorry for you.
jasperjava July 13th, 2014 at 08:19
Angry? I’m happy that society is evolving, and I don’t go around using vulgar language like “who gives a rat’s ass” when I see evidence for it.
I’m posting about this as many times as I like, because I ***DO*** care about the evolution of society. YOU, on the other hand, by your own admission, “don’t give a rat’s ass”. But you obviously DO care, since you took the trouble to comment about it, and you’re obviously not very happy about it. Who’s the angry one, here?
History is passing you by, and your right-wing ideology is being buried. That doesn’t make me angry, it makes me happy.
Jai Sins July 13th, 2014 at 16:20
I think you got the commentators statement wrong. Its right there that it shouldnt be anyones business if you like the same sex. And I agree. Why should people have to come out that they like guys or gals. Its everyones own choice and no one else. Thought evolving was getting past sexual preference, race, gender and all the other stereotypes holding all of us back.
jasperjava July 13th, 2014 at 21:26
What I find strange is when somebody feels the need to say “who cares” (especially in crude terms). If you’re not interested in a news story, pass on to the next one without comment.
I think that making a point of aggressively expressing your lack of interest actually indicates that you HAVE to say *something*, but you’re too self-conscious to say what you actually feel. It’s a passive-aggressive way to express your disapproval without coming across as an outright bigot.
If you REALLY didn’t care, you would not comment, period.
Jai Sins July 13th, 2014 at 15:39
I totally agree with you. Who cares if he likes guys. It is his choice and he shouldnt have to tell anyone his sexual desires.
Kara Connor July 15th, 2014 at 00:42
Young people who aren’t LGBT have a variety of “possibility models” which they see every day. LGBT youth typically here a barrage of negativity and keep their silence because who would want to put themselves in the firing line at an age when just to be different in any way can make you feel ostracized. When someone who is successful in their field has the courage to be open about being LGBT it gives hope and sets an example to youngsters that they can potentially achieve their dreams, and not to be ashamed of who they are. Everyone needs some sort of positive reinforcement, especially if they are usually subject to disparaging remarks, and especially when young.
Rusty Shackleford July 15th, 2014 at 00:26
Every young gay and bisexual boy aspiring to be an olympic athlete who could use some inspiration.
Feel free to ignore the message. It’s not for you; it’s for them.
Jim July 12th, 2014 at 20:11
and this matters because?????
jasperjava July 13th, 2014 at 01:11
It matters because the more gay folks come out in the open, in all walks of life, the more we can become a more accepting and inclusive society.
Rusty Shackleford July 15th, 2014 at 00:25
Because young gay and bisexual boys watching at home need role models too.
Jim July 12th, 2014 at 20:11
and this matters because?????
jasperjava July 13th, 2014 at 01:11
It matters because the more gay folks come out in the open, in all walks of life, the more we can become a more accepting and inclusive society.
Rusty Shackleford July 15th, 2014 at 00:25
Because young gay and bisexual boys watching at home need role models too.
mmaynard119 July 12th, 2014 at 20:32
And we was in the next lane to OUR Michael Phelps and Ogling Michael
in his speedo? Eeewwww.
It matters because it shows that there are gay men and women in every walk
of life, including professional sports. If you’re a teen in the UK and you see that
the national hero Ian Thorpe states his sexual proclivities publicly, then maybe
you realize that you’re not so different after all.
jasperjava July 13th, 2014 at 01:09
I realize you mean well, but there’s nothing “Eeewwww” about a gay man appreciating another man’s physique. That’s what makes them gay in the first place. When you express disgust about it, it shows that you haven’t quite accepted it yet.
Also, I would avoid using a word with negative implications like “proclivities”. It’s a sexual orientation. It’s a sexual preference. Calling it a proclivity implies that it’s somehow abnormal or bizarre.
mmaynard119 July 12th, 2014 at 20:32
And we was in the next lane to OUR Michael Phelps and Ogling Michael
in his speedo? Eeewwww.
It matters because it shows that there are gay men and women in every walk
of life, including professional sports. If you’re a teen in the UK and you see that
the national hero Ian Thorpe states his sexual proclivities publicly, then maybe
you realize that you’re not so different after all.
jasperjava July 13th, 2014 at 01:09
I realize you mean well, but there’s nothing “Eeewwww” about a gay man appreciating another man’s physique. That’s what makes them gay in the first place. When you express disgust about it, it shows that you haven’t quite accepted it yet.
Also, I would avoid using a word with negative implications like “proclivities”. It’s a sexual orientation. It’s a sexual preference. Calling it a proclivity implies that it’s somehow abnormal or bizarre.
prasinos 13 July 13th, 2014 at 03:37
Something about a man on his his knees,for example,getting pounded in the ass is disgusting and unnatural.Ohhh,you dont agree?
jasperjava July 13th, 2014 at 09:06
Did somebody forget to tell you that you don’t actually have to watch?
Maybe you’re one of those freaks who watch gay porn because you like to feel the delicious thrill of disgust it gives you.
I’m just grateful I don’t have to watch YOUR fat ass having sex. Talk about unnatural and disgusting.
prasinos 13 July 13th, 2014 at 03:37
Something about a man on his his knees,for example,getting pounded in the ass is disgusting and unnatural.Ohhh,you dont agree?
jasperjava July 13th, 2014 at 09:06
Did somebody forget to tell you that you don’t actually have to watch?
Maybe you’re one of those freaks who watch gay porn because you like to feel the delicious thrill of disgust it gives you.
I’m just grateful I don’t have to watch YOUR fat ass having sex. Talk about unnatural and disgusting.
SkeeterVT July 13th, 2014 at 12:24
I hate to say this, but now that he’s come out of the closet, Ian Thorpe’s nickname, “The Thorpedo,” suddenly takes on a whole new meaning.
SkeeterVT July 13th, 2014 at 12:24
I hate to say this, but now that he’s come out of the closet, Ian Thorpe’s nickname, “The Thorpedo,” suddenly takes on a whole new meaning.
Jai Sins July 13th, 2014 at 15:34
A guy likes other guys. Get over it already.
Jai Sins July 13th, 2014 at 15:34
A guy likes other guys. Get over it already.