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Olympic champion Ian Thorpe reveals he is gay

Ian Thorpe reportedly reveals he is gay

Olympic champion Ian Thorpe has reportedly revealed he is gay despite years of denying speculation about his sexuality.

The 31-year-old opened up to British journalist Michael Parkinson in a tell-all interview to air tonight on Channel 10.

It is being reported that the interview includes a full admission from Thorpe.

The swimmer also details his battle with depression, which he says was a result of denying his sexuality.

"Ian Thorpe has always been near the top of my list to interview," said Parkison. "The reasons are obvious. Not many athletes can claim to be the best of all time. Ian can."



In 2012, Thorpe wrote in his autobiography, 'This is Me': "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."

Parkinson said he thought the interview was "one of the best" of his career.

"I think his sexuality is no one’s business but his own. But I think it’s one of the best interviews I have ever done in terms of (Thorpe) talking about depression and things like that," he told News Corp.

Earlier this year, Thorpe was admitted to a rehab facility to allow him to receive treatment for his depression.

He broke 22 world records in his whirlwind swimming career, winning five gold, three silver and one bronze medal at the Olympic Games.

Celebrity support for the winner of five Olympic gold swimming medals is flowing on social media.

"So happy and proud for @ianthorpe," actor Magda Szubanski tweeted.

"Coming out in his own time on his own terms. Wish you all things good darling boy."

Fellow Olympic swimmer Stephanie Rice tweeted: "Thorpie is and always will be a superstar in my eyes."

Australian Marriage Equality national director Rodney Croome praised Thorpe for coming out.

"(It) has clearly been a difficult struggle for him and I hope Australians appreciate the trust and confidence he has placed in us all by revealing he is gay," Mr Croome said.

"Nothing has changed about Ian Thorpe. He is still a great Olympian and a great Australian. But what needs to change is an unfair law that treats our greatest Olympic champion as a second class citizen."

Mr Croome criticised the law denying gay Australians the right to marry.

Gay Times Magazine tweeted "big Love to @ianthorpe".

Conservative NSW MP Fred Nile, a known advocate against gay marriage, also offered his support.