Swimming champion Ian Thorpe to come out in TV interview

Olympic swimming champion Ian Thorpe will reveal he is gay in an Australian TV interview set to air tomorrow (July 13). Australia’s Channel Ten have been trailing the interview with a clip in which the interviewer, Sir Michael Parkinson, asks 31-year-old Thorpe about his sexuality. In the clip, Parkinson is seen asking Thorpe, “You’ve always said that you’re not gay… is all of that true?” before the camera pans to a shot of the swimmer’s face. The clip ends before Thorpe’s answer is shown – click here to watch it. According to Australia’s Sunday Telegraph newspaper, during the full interview, Thorpe will confirm that he is gay although he has dated women in the past. The Sydney-born athlete has been asked about his sexuality ever since he became a World Champion swimmer in the late ’90s – and has always insisted he is straight. He enjoyed massive success during his career as an swimmer, breaking 22 world records, winning five Olympic gold medals and earning himself the nickname “the Thorpedo”. After retiring in 2007, he attempt at a comeback in 2011, but failed to make the Australian team for the London 2012 Olympics. He is now pursuing a career as a sports commentator.