Australian
Olympic swimming legend Ian Thorpe is set to reveal that he is gay in
an interview with Michael Parkinson after years of denials and
speculation about his sexuality.
The Sunday Telegraph
reports that Thorpe, who retired from professional swimming in 2012,
will make the full admission during a sit-down, tell-all interview with
the British TV personality set to air Sunday night on Australia's Ten
Network.
In
the lead-up to the highly anticipated interview, a teaser released by
the network showed Thorpe being posed the question that has plagued him
his entire career - is he, or isn't he, gay?
'Are you gay?' No questions was off-limits for
British journalist Michael Parkinson when he sat down with former
Olympic swimmer Ian Thorpe for an interview that will air next week
n the 25-second clip, Parkinson said to Thorpe: 'You've always said that you're not gay... is all of that true?'
The scene then cuts to an uncomfortable looking Thorpe, 31, who appears to be nervously finding his words.
The revelation sent Twitter into a frenzy with mostly tweets of support for the gold-medallist.
'Ian
Thorpe we're proud of YOU Regardless of sexuality, achievements, medals
or anything else... You're an Aussie who we'll love & stand by,'
@2dayFMbreakfast wrote.
'Big
love to @IanThorpe!' tweeted @GayTimesMag, while Lady Catherine
@KadyLio wrote: 'I can only hope Thorpe's revelations help millions of
teens struggling inside themselves to find the courage to be them. Snaps
for Thorpie.'
Anthony Venn-Brown @gayambassador tweeted: 'Life's much brighter on this side of the closet @IanThorpe. Welcome to being you.'
Supportive: Twitter was sent into a frenzy following Thorpe's news
Twitter follows showed their support for the Olympic swimmer
Words of encouragement were also tweeted for Ian Thorpe
In
his 2012 autobiography This Is Me, Australia's most decorated Olympian
said that he found the accusations about his sexuality hurtful and
judging of his integrity.
In
an extract, he explained: 'That’s the only part I find hurtful, that
this is something I would be embarrassed about and that I would hide.'
This
followed years of public denials including a statement issued in 2009
by his management company: 'In the past, on several separate occasions, I
have answered questions about my sexuality openly and honestly with the
media ... my situation in this regard has not changed,' he said.
Then
in July 2011 he told the The Sunday Times newspaper: 'I don't think
anybody has a right to write about (my private life), but I don't care
enough about it to be bothered. If you try and fight it, you're damned;
if you don't, you're damned. If you get married, it's a sham.'
The startling admission is just taste of what viewers can expect from the no holds barred interview.
False claim: In 2009 it was reported that
Thorpe's management issued a statement regarding comments in a 2007
magazine article discussing a heterosexual relationship with Olympic
swimmer Amanda Beard
In 2009, news.com.au
reported that Thorpe's management issued a statement regarding comments
in a 2007 magazine article discussing a heterosexual relationship with
Olympic swimmer Amanda Beard.
'Well,
I did have a long-term, long-distance relationship (with Beard), and it
was great while it lasted. It was sort of public knowledge we were
seeing each other, and yet not. It went on for ages, years,' he was
quoted as saying.Beard's agent quashed the statement: 'Take out the word relationship and put in the word friendship and that's exactly what it was.'
Thorpe,
who will be part of Network Ten's Commonwealth Games commentary team
this month, has just overcome a physical and mental battle following
complications arising from shoulder surgery that almost cost him his
arm.
More to come: In the 25 second promo clip,
Parkinson said to Thorpe: 'You've always said that you're not gay... is
all of that true?'
Sit down chat: 'His fight against depression
offers a unique insight into the darker side of celebrity and success,'
Michael said
No holds barred: Ian looked pained as Parkinson quizzed him on his sexuality
Parkinson
said Thorpe's decision that no question was off limits was brave and
says he examines the good times and the bad of the Australian swimming
legend.
'His
fight against depression offers a unique insight into the darker side
of celebrity and success,' Parkinson said in a statement released by
Ten.
'What
fascinates me most about Ian is that apart from the very beginning of
his career, he never seemed to enjoy and celebrate his success.
'Ian Thorpe has always been near the top of my list to interview.
'Not many athletes can claim to be the best of all time. Ian can.'
Superhuman! Known as the the Thorpedo during his
stellar career, Thorpe smashed 22 world records and along the way won
five gold, three silver and one bronze Olympic medals
Parkinson is renowned for not being afraid to ask the tough and sometimes uncomfortable questions.
Some
of the British journalist's most memorable moments includes the time
that boxer Muhammad Ali squared up to him for calling him Cassius Clay
instead of by his Muslim name, and when former Spice Girl Victoria
Beckham let slip her nickname for husband David was Golden Balls.
Former
British Primer Minister Tony Blair also spoke about the time that his
father-in-law had asked permission to smoke cannabis in front of him,
while his chat with Hollywood A-lister Meg Ryan made for uncomfortable
viewing when she appeared moody and unresponsive and asked for the
interview to be wrapped up.
A good get! 'Ian has always been near the top of my list to interview,' Parkinson said
Known as the the Thorpedo during his stellar career, Thorpe smashed 22
world records and along the way won five gold, three silver and one
bronze Olympic medals.
He has also won 11 World titles and 11 (10 gold, one silver) Commonwealth Games medals.
Thorpe
first retired in November, 2006, aged 24, and then made an ill-fated
comeback in 2011 when he failed to make the Australian team for the 2012
London Games.
Ten has announced it will air the TV special, Ian Thorpe: The Parkinson Interview, on Sunday, July 13, at 6.30pm.
Thorpe’s agent and Network Ten have been contacted by Daily Mail Australia for comment.
Big news: The Australian swimmer arrives at a
press conference to announce his retirement from professional swimming
at the Sofitel Sydney Wentworth hotel on November 21, 2006
Pensive: Thorpe, a five-time Olympic
gold-medallist, announced he would discontinue his professional swimming
career to concentrate on new challenges
New role: Thorpe will be part of Network Ten's Commonwealth Games commentary team this month
Straight talker: Parkinson, pictured with his
wife Mary, is renowned for not being afraid to ask the tough and
sometimes uncomfortable questions
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