The young star of the australian swimming team was ian thorpe, who won his first international medal in 1997 at the age of 14 and was a double world champion the following year. Ian thorpe to swim in london 2012 olympics perthnow. Ian thorpes full swimming biography, including ian thorpes best times, medals. Thorpe retired from competitive swimming in 2006, citing waning motivation, after a highly successful career, but in 2012 he. Hall of fame ian thorpe michaels sports statistics. Thorpey honoured on australia day swimming australia. Apr 08, 2014 the australian fivetime olympic champion ian thorpe is unlikely to swim competitively again after contracting two serious infections, his manager has said the 31yearold is being treated in a. Ian thorpe photos gold medalist ian thorpe of australia celebrates on the podium during the medal ceremony for the mens swimming 100 metre backstroke event on august 16, 2004 during the athens. This is me book by ian thorpe official publisher page. Ninetime olympic medalist and former australian swimmer ian thorpe chatted with digital journal about his competitive swimming career, latest endeavors, and the recent decision to postpone the. It is very captivating account of one of australias most. Jun 29, 2015 thorpe won the bronze medal from the 8 th lane. Ian thorpe is one of the most successful olympians australia has ever had.
Fivetime olympic gold medallist ian thorpe has called on national bodies to stop setting gold medal targets as it puts too much pressure on athletes. Coa may arrive before or after the item has been received. He understands the solitary nature of elite sport better than most professional athletes, and describes its impact with layered elegance, but even thorpe was jolted by the isolation he felt as he prepared to swim competitively again in singapore last november. Australian swimming coach don talbot defended thorpe s mantle as the worlds best swimmer regularly through the early 2000s and its clear in his book phelps heard every word. Thorpe retired in 2006 but the rumour mill has been in overdrive in recent. Ian thorpe, the retired olympic swimmer, came out as gay in a tv interview after fighting the decision for more than a decade. The australian swimmer ian thorpe, whose fivemedal performance at the 2000 olympics in sydney captivated his country and served as powerful motivation for a young michael phelps, has revealed in an australian television interview that he is gay. With three gold and two silver medals, thorpe was the most successful. Ian thorpe in the pool with the australian swim team youtube. Ian thorpe photos former swimmer ian thorpe looks on during day one of the australian national swimming championships at sydney olympic park aquatic centre on april 2015 in sydney, australia. Though thorpe did not medal in the sprint free, he won his other six events. Ian thorpe unlikely to swim competitively again following. Flaskas said fellow aussie geoff huegills comeback in 2009 and 2010 resulting in a gold medal in the 100 fly at the commonwealth games has fueled thorpe s fire.
Ian thorpe entered the 2000 olympic games in sydney bearing the weight of tremendous expectations as a locally born swimming world champion in a nation that loves swimming heroes. With the dust settled on another olympic games, masters swimmer christine goodair lets us in on her favourite 11 olympic swimming books. Sydney ap fivetime olympic swimming gold medalist ian thorpe for the first time publicly confirmed that he is gay during a television interview on. In his book, thorpe also confronted the rumors about homosexuality, listing them. He came home from the 1997 pan pacifics with silver medals from the 4x200m relay and the individual 400m freestyle. Ian thorpe biography swimmer australian olympic swimmer ian thorpe won the most gold medals of any australian athlete, and was the youngest to win a. We will however make every effort to include the exact photo proof of signing your item if we have it available. He is the most decorated male australian olympian, and was the most. And the fivetime gold medal winning swimmer returned to the water on sunday as he hit the beach with boyfriend ryan. At the age of 14, he became the youngest male swimmer ever to represent australia and the youngest ever individual male world champion. Ian thorpe bio, stats, and results olympics at sports.
Thorpey, whose five olympic gold medals is the greatest tally of any australian olympian, was made a member am in the general division of the order of australia for his significant service to youth and indigenous education. Ian thorpe is a famous australian swimmer and olympic champion. He has won nine olympic medals five gold and eleven world championship golds. Christina thorpe was a world class distance swimmer, a great training partner for ian growing up and helped mold the family life around being consistent attending practice and concentrating on swimming. Olympic gold medalist ian thorpe comes out as gay new. His best olympic result was the fifth place, four years later in barcelona, spain, in the mens 400 m freestyle. In his youth, thorpe followed his older sister to the pool. Now the 31 year old is reportedly in intensive care for not one, but two infections that were caught after shoulder surgery near his home in. I always knew ian as a middle distance swimmer, but here he showed that he has some serious sprint skillz as well, when he became the first and so far the only man in history to earn medals in the 100, 200 and 400m freestyle in the same olympics.
Thorpe began swimming competitively at age eight, and. Instead i am reading books i havent had time to read, chatting with friends more. Here are 10 facts about ian thorpe that you probably didnt know. The swimming program will open with a bang today, with west australian pair blair evans and brianna throssell among those set to make a splash. It was obviously conceived as an accompaniment to ian thorpe s glorious return to swimming at the london olympics, and the structure of the book leads you up to the big moment at the qualifiers, which then ends not with a bang, but a whimper. It details ian thorpes attempt to gain selection in the australian swimming team competing at the london 2012 olympics, but also recounts various events in his life as an elite swimmer. Ian thorpe aquatic centre 458 harris st, ultimo, new south wales 2007 rated 3. An unusual officiating decision in the womens 800 freestyle relay and ian thorpe s third world record punctuated the world swimming championships wednesday. It feels odd to read a book about someone whos famous for winning many olympic medals and yet not really. And swimmers like ian thorpe and michael phelps with their outstanding medal hauls have made me now a avid swimming watcher.
Swimming australia congratulates ian thorpe on his australia day honours, after the olympic champion was recognised for his achievements both in and out of the pool. Top 11 olympic swimming books masters swimmer christine. Olympic quotes from australian superstar ian thorpe. Ultimately i was left with the overriding feeling that ian thorpe hates me for having the temerity to buy the book that he and his ghost writer wrote.
Ian thorpe is a keynote speaker and industry expert who speaks on a wide range of topics. Ian thorpes mantra has always been that michael phelps wont break mark spitzs record of seven gold medals at. Hence the autobiography by ian thorpe this is me became a must read. He is the most decorated male australian olympian, and was the most successful athlete at the 2000 summer olympics in sydney. Australian gold medal swimming legend ian thorpe has stated in his autobiography that he is not gay and resents anyone thinking he is lying about his sexual orientation. Nov 12, 2012 ian thorpe began his long and lonely return to the pool a year ago this month. Oct 01, 2012 theres a lot of denials of stories that have been in the press, putting the record straight, type of segments, making the book more this isnt me than this is me. Olympic swimming legend ian thorpe calls for end to gold medal targets. Ian thorpe ian thorpe photos olympics day 3 swimming.
Ian james thorpe, oam born october 1982 is an australian swimmer who specialises in freestyle, but also competes in backstroke and the individual medley. Like michael phelps, ian had an older sister that was a great swimmer. Initially allergic to chlorine, ian thorpe overcame this to compete hard and win international honors in swimming. Thorpe lost 20kg getting into shape for his arrival in singapore. Ian thorpe takes his third gold and second world record in three days. Come along to the press conference and ian can say what he wants to say. On the very first day of competition, thorpe showed that he could handle the pressure. Ian james thorpe, also known as the thorpedo, was born on october, 1982 in milperra, a suburb of sydney, australia. Thoughtful and passionate about the sport, he has studied the details behind what it takes to.
The world today archive thorpe swimsuit dispute drags on. Ian thorpe s proudest swim wasnt at the sydney 2000 or athens 2004 games simply making it to the starters blocks at sydney olympic park for the 2000 olympics is his greatest. It was obviously conceived as an accompaniment to ian thorpes glorious return to swimming at the london olympics, and the structure of the book leads you up to the big moment at the qualifiers, which then ends not with a bang, but a whimper. Search hello select your address select your address. Ian james thorpe, am born october 1982 is an australian retired swimmer who specialised in freestyle, but also competed in backstroke and the individual medley. This is me by ian thorpe, 9781471101236, available at book depository with. At the 1998 world championships he won both the 200 and 400 freestyle, and was the media darling of australia going into the sydney 2000 olympics. Ian thorpe first came to international prominence at the 1997 panpacific meet when he finished second in the 400 freestyle. Olympic swimming legend ian thorpe calls for end to gold. A thorough biography of ian thorpe s life and career was completed in 2004 by greg hunter, so whats left to learn. His stroke is beautiful to look at both on video and live in the crowd. After auctioning his gold medal for charity, he set off on a different life, partially selfdestructive, before returning to swimming.
Ian thope australia signed australian speedo swim cap. Ian thorpe, swimming star for australia in olympics, says he is gay see more. Olympic gold medalist ian thorpe and boyfriend ryan. Olympic great ian thorpe offers message of hope and positivity. In february he was admitted to rehab after being found outside his parents house in sydney disoriented after apparently mixing together antidepressants along with prescribed meds for a shoulder injury.
Jul, 2014 the australian swimmer ian thorpe, whose five medal performance at the 2000 olympics in sydney captivated his country and served as powerful motivation for a young michael phelps, has revealed in. After retiring he certainly gained a few pounds and he had to lose over 20kgs to regain race fitness. Ian james thorpe was born on the th october 1982, in sydney, new south wales, australia, and is recognized as a former professional swimmer, who won 11 world championship titles and five olympic gold medals. Ian thorpe, swimming star for australia in olympics, says he. Ian thorpe may be one the worlds greatest sporting champions but the swimming legend admits theres one race that still haunts him. Ian thorpe began his long and lonely return to the pool a year ago this month. Ian thorpe, the australian swimmer, has spent much of his life fighting crippling depression and has, at times, considered suicide. After four years in retirement, his five olympic gold medals and.
Ian thorpes achievements in the water are nothing short of phenomenal. Ian thorpe, australian athlete, who was the most successful swimmer in that countrys history, accumulating five olympic gold medals and 11 world championship titles between 1998 and 2004. Ian thorpe, swimming star for australia in olympics, says. Ian thorpe, australias greatest olympian, has been admitted to. Ian thorpe biography, ian thorpe achievements, ian thorpe. I was surrounded by people but had this intense loneliness ian thorpe this is me an interesting interview with ian. Ian thorpes 200m freestyle heat 2012 olympic trials youtube.
At the age of 14, he became the youngest male swimmer ever to. Ian thorpe aussie gold medalist swimmer has come out as gay, after years of battling depression and alcoholism. Gold medal swim by jake maddox goodreads share book. Mack horton v sun yang, ian thorpe comments, australian mens. Michael phelps lowered the 200 free world record for the first time at the 2007 world championships in melbourne, lowering ian thorpe s record from 2001. He has broken 22 world records and won five gold, three silver and one bronze olympic medals. Listen to each of these three beeps in turn and decide which is the stroke rate of ian thorpe winning his five olympic golds. He understands the solitary nature of elite sport better than most professional athletes, and describes its impact. Fivetime olympic gold medallist ian thorpe has called on national bodies to stop setting gold medal targets as it puts too. In his book, thorpe revealed how he was often driven to alcohol to find. The first chapter is dated 1 august 2011 and the last 26 july 2012. The fivetime gold medalist was taken to bankstown hospital before being transferred.
The dispute between australias wonder swimmer ian thorpe and the australian olympic committee over his cozzie drags on after a meeting with australian swim team officials this morning thorpedo said. Ian robert brown born 14 august 1965 is a former freestyle swimmer who twice represented australia at the summer olympics. Chris mcgrathgetty images olympic gold medalist ian thorpe is gay. This board is dedicate to him and all the people who love him see more ideas about ian thorpe, man swimming and swimming. Ian thorpe, swimming star for australia in olympics, says he is gay thorpe won a total of nine medals, including five golds, at the 2000 and 2004 games and was an inspiration to a young michael phelps. Ian thorpe has spoken out in a candid interview about the reaction to his coming out as gay in july last year. Ian james thorpe was born on october, 1982, and grew up in milperra, a suburb of sydney, australia.
If you are a fan of ian thorpe andor swimming this book will suit just fine. This book has me looking forward to next years swimming world. Olympic swimming champ ian thorpe comes out after years of speculation that he is gay, thorpe confirms it in an interview to be broadcast on australian tv sunday night. Ian thorpe generally travels from new south walesaustralia and can be booked for private corporate events, personal appearances, keynote speeches, or other. Watch gold medallists mack horton and kyle chalmers get real about glasses, team gossip, and getting compared to ian in the final. Thorpe went on to win a fifth medal by swimming in the heats of the 4x100 medley relay, before klim anchored the team to silver in the final. Olympic gold medalist swimmer ian thorpe reveals he is gay.
Swimming legend ian thorpe is expecting australias sprinters to shine at the optus aquatic centre on the gold coast, tipping a strong medal haul in the hotlyanticipated commonwealth games on home soil. Aug 05, 2016 when the 18time gold medal winning american first began to make his mark on the world scene, that meant challenging one man. He has won five olympic gold medals, the most won by any australian. Ian thorpe has weighed into the bitter feud between mack horton and sun yang, and also called out the missing link in australian mens swimming at the moment. The swimmer also wrote about his long bouts of depression, drinking and suicidal thoughts and why he is not in a relationship. Oct 24, 2012 this book is part biography, part diary. Australian swimming legend ian thorpe has said that the pressure australias swimmers are put under to be successful is much greater than the united states who dominated in the pool, and it got to. Thorpe began swimming competitively at age eight, and, although he had been uncoordinated in other sports, he. Mar 21, 2012 ian thorpe s 200m freestyle heat swim at the 2012 australian olympic trials. Ironically, ian was allergic to chlorine when he was young. Ian thorpe on bullying, depression and athletes mental health. Although now retired, thorpe will forever go down in swimming history as one of the worlds greatest swimmers. Olympic legend ian thorpe says australias swimmers choked.
Ian thorpe is back in the swim and priming himself for an assault on medals reexamine the footage of the 2006 press conference where ian thorpe announced his retirement, and. Top 11 olympic swimming books masters swimmer christine goodair. Ian thorpe is an australian swimmer who has become a 5 time olympic champion and 11 time world long course champion. Both mother, margaret, and father, ken, were active in sports and encouraged ian and his older sister, christina, to pursue their interest in swimming. And its been a real delight to see the magic unfurl on the pool by these great swimmers. The australian swimming legend believes there is too much pressure placed on competitors when organisations set medal targets for events.
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