Editing Ian Thorpe (section)

==Personal life==

===Sexuality===
In a July 2014 televised interview with British talk show host [[Michael Parkinson]], Thorpe [[coming out|came out]] as gay, after years of denying his homosexuality publicly.<ref>Hunter, pp. 318–320.</ref><ref name="magnetic"/><ref>{{cite news |first = Jacquelin |last = Magnay |author-link = Jacquelin Magnay |title = Thorpe straight as the line on the bottom of the pool |url = http://www.smh.com.au/articles/2002/11/17/1037490052340.html |work =[[The Sydney Morning Herald]] |date = 18 November 2002 |access-date = 10 November 2006 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20071025052133/http://www.smh.com.au/articles/2002/11/17/1037490052340.html |archive-date = 25 October 2007 |url-status = live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2014/07/13/sports/ian-thorpe-star-for-australia-in-olympics-says-hes-gay.html |title=Ian Thorpe, Swimming Star for Australia in Olympics, Says He Is Gay |date=12 July 2014 |access-date=12 July 2014 |work=The New York Times |first=Karen |last=Crouse |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140713030929/http://www.nytimes.com/2014/07/13/sports/ian-thorpe-star-for-australia-in-olympics-says-hes-gay.html |archive-date=13 July 2014 |url-status=live  }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url= http://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/other-sports/10261690/Aussie-swimmer-Ian-Thorpe-reveals-he-is-gay |title= Aussie swimmer Ian Thorpe reveals he is gay |work= [[Stuff.co.nz]] |date= 13 July 2014 |access-date= 13 July 2014 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20140712190554/http://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/other-sports/10261690/Aussie-swimmer-Ian-Thorpe-reveals-he-is-gay |archive-date= 12 July 2014 |url-status= live}}</ref> He stated "I'm comfortable saying I'm a gay man. And I don't want people to feel the same way I did. You can grow up, you can be comfortable and you can be gay." He added "I am telling the world that I am gay… and I hope this makes it easier for others now, and even if you've held it in for years, it feels easier to get it out."<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.abc.net.au/news/2014-07-13/ian-thorpe-to-reveal-he-is-gay-in-michael-parkinson-interview/5592626|title=Ian Thorpe reveals he is gay, describes struggle with depression in tell-all interview with Sir Michael Parkinson|date=13 July 2014|access-date=13 July 2014|work=[[ABC News (Australia)|ABC News]]|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140713020027/http://www.abc.net.au/news/2014-07-13/ian-thorpe-to-reveal-he-is-gay-in-michael-parkinson-interview/5592626|archive-date=13 July 2014|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.news.com.au/entertainment/tv/former-olympic-swimming-champion-ian-thorpe-reveals-hes-gay-to-michael-parkinson-in-channel-10-interview/story-e6frfmyi-1226987436818|title=Former Olympic swimming champion Ian Thorpe reveals he's gay to Michael Parkinson in Channel 10 interview|author=Charlotte Willis|date=13 July 2014|access-date=13 July 2014|publisher=[[News.com.au]]|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140714055704/http://www.news.com.au/entertainment/tv/former-olympic-swimming-champion-ian-thorpe-reveals-hes-gay-to-michael-parkinson-in-channel-10-interview/story-e6frfmyi-1226987436818|archive-date=14 July 2014|url-status=live}}</ref>

In 2016 he began dating model Ryan Channing.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.perthnow.com.au/entertainment/confidential/perth-model-ryan-channing-and-olympian-ian-thorpe-set-for-paris-move/news-story/aab106075a86189557a283b161335365 |title=Perth model Ryan Channing and Olympian Ian Thorpe set for Paris move |access-date=23 May 2017 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170221225114/http://www.perthnow.com.au/entertainment/confidential/perth-model-ryan-channing-and-olympian-ian-thorpe-set-for-paris-move/news-story/aab106075a86189557a283b161335365 |archive-date=21 February 2017 |author=Parri, Linda | date=20 November 2016 | website=PerthNow}}</ref> In December 2017, he said he did not plan to marry his boyfriend "any time soon".<ref>{{cite news|url= https://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/entertainment/sydney-confidential/ian-thorpe-has-no-intentions-to-get-married-anytime-soon-after-samesex-marriage-was-legalised/news-story/d3783d6b6048b72d744660a19f4e9dbf |title=Ian Thorpe has no intentions to get married anytime soon after same-sex marriage was legalised |author=Harris, Chris|work=Daily Telegraph|date= 9 December 2017|access-date=9 December 2017 |url-access=subscription}}</ref> He would like to become a father.<ref>{{cite news|url= https://www.pressreader.com/australia/womans-day-australia/20171204/281758449614642|title= Thorpie's baby joy!|work= Womans Day|date= 4 December 2017|access-date= 9 December 2017|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20171209203835/https://www.pressreader.com/australia/womans-day-australia/20171204/281758449614642|archive-date= 9 December 2017|url-status= live}}</ref> In June 2019, Thorpe split with Channing.<ref>{{Cite web|date=30 June 2019|title=Ian Thorpe and Ryan Channing confirm their relationship has ended|url=https://www.outinperth.com/ian-thorpe-and-ryan-channing-confirm-their-relationship-has-ended/|access-date=3 July 2020|website=OUTInPerth – LGBTIQ News and Culture}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2019-06-29 |title=Thorpe 'splits' from Perth beau |url=https://www.perthnow.com.au/entertainment/celebrity-gossip/ian-thorpe-splits-from-perths-ryan-channing-ng-b881245382z |access-date=2023-09-11 |website=PerthNow |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=The real reason behind Ian Thorpe and Ryan Channing's shock split |url=https://www.nowtolove.com.au/celebrity/celeb-news/ian-thorpe-ryan-channing-break-up-56881 |access-date=2023-09-11 |website=Now To Love |date=7 July 2019 |language=en}}</ref> Channing later died in [[Bali]], [[Indonesia]] in May 2022.<ref>{{Cite web|date=11 May 2022|title=Ian Thorpe's former partner Ryan Channing dies in Bali|url=https://www.smh.com.au/culture/celebrity/ian-thorpe-s-former-partner-ryan-channing-dies-in-bali-20220511-p5akgv.html|access-date=28 January 2023|website=[[The Sydney Morning Herald]] }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2023-09-11 |title=Aussie sporting legend's ex-partner dies in Bali |url=https://www.nzherald.co.nz/sport/ian-thorpes-ex-partner-ryan-channing-dies-in-bali/3KNTWW5R2RFRLZDRVK7TPV6MGQ/ |access-date=2023-09-11 |website=[[The New Zealand Herald]] |language=en-NZ}}</ref>

In September 2020, the [[International Olympic Committee]] published a question and answer format interview with Thorpe, which touched on his [[sexual orientation]] and some of the challenges he faced due to his [[homosexuality]] in competitive [[Swimming (sport)|swimming]].<ref name="Tulloch30Sep2020">Tulloch, Ash (30 September 2020). [https://olympics.com/en/featured-news/ian-thorpe-sydney-2000-ceremony-swimming-future "Exclusive Q&A: Ian Thorpe on Sydney 2000, coming out, and who to look out for at Tokyo Olympics"]. ''[[International Olympic Committee]]''. Retrieved 18 July 2021.</ref>

===Activism===
In the lead up to the [[Australian Marriage Law Postal Survey]], Thorpe campaigned for a 'yes' vote, encouraging people to enroll to vote at the [[City2Surf (Sydney)|City2Surf]].<ref>{{cite news|last1=McKinnell|first1=Jamie|title=Ian Thorpe joins campaign for marriage equality|url=http://www.smh.com.au/federal-politics/political-news/ian-thorpe-joins-campaign-for-marriage-equality-20170812-gxv0on.html|access-date=29 August 2017|work=[[The Sydney Morning Herald]] |date=13 August 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170829100233/http://www.smh.com.au/federal-politics/political-news/ian-thorpe-joins-campaign-for-marriage-equality-20170812-gxv0on.html|archive-date=29 August 2017|url-status=live}}</ref> He later appeared in a campaign advertisement with his partner saying Thorpe could update his electoral details faster than he could swim 100 metres.<ref>{{cite news|title=Olympian Ian Thorpe races his scantily clad boyfriend for marriage equality|url=https://www.gaystarnews.com/article/olympian-ian-thorpe-races-his-boyfriend-for-marriage-equality/|access-date=29 August 2017|work=[[Gay Star News]]|date=21 August 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170829082824/https://www.gaystarnews.com/article/olympian-ian-thorpe-races-his-boyfriend-for-marriage-equality/|archive-date=29 August 2017|url-status=live}}</ref>

===Sponsorship===
[[File:Ian Thorpe on a plane.jpg|thumb|300px|Thorpe (left) with fans in 2000.|alt=A young man is at left wearing a tight grey T-shirt with white sleeves, with "French Connection" across his chest. He has short hair and is wearing elliptical glasses. In the centre is a boy with very short black hair in a green T-shirt, and to the right is a young girl with pigtails wearing a blue coat. They are posing on an aeroplane.]]

Thorpe is known for his interests in fashion, and serves as an ambassador for [[Armani]],<ref name="dyk"/><ref name=s113/> and has his own line of designer jewellery and underwear.<ref name=s113/> During his career, Thorpe was one of the most prominent and popular sportspeople in Australia. Despite competing in a sport in which the vast majority of international athletes' earnings are below the poverty line,<ref name="spons"/> marketing surveys consistently ranked Thorpe as the most sought-after Australian athlete for sponsorship deals, surpassing footballers who compete on a weekly basis in much larger stadia.<ref name="spons">Hunter, pp. vii–viii.</ref> Aside from his swimsuit sponsor [[Adidas]], Thorpe was sponsored by Australian corporate giants such as [[Qantas]], [[Telstra]], and the [[Seven Network]].<ref name="magnetic">{{cite news|first = Chloe|last = Saltau|title = The magnetic Mr Thorpe|url = http://www.theage.com.au/articles/2003/07/27/1059244481899.html|work = The Age|location = Australia|date = 28 July 2003|access-date = 16 November 2006|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20071012055343/http://www.theage.com.au/articles/2003/07/27/1059244481899.html|archive-date = 12 October 2007|url-status = live}}</ref><ref>Hunter, pp. 90, 140, 168.</ref>

Thorpe's interests in fashion and culture led him to make frequent visits to New York City—which he describes as a second home—often for engagements with Armani and particularly because of the city's status as a global fashion capital.<ref name=dyk/><ref name=s113>Swanton, p. 113.</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.languagemonitor.com/category/fashion/fashion-capitals/ |title=New York retakes Top Global Fashion Capital Title from London, edging past Paris |publisher=Languagemonitor.com |access-date=26 May 2014 |url-status=usurped |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140423211506/http://www.languagemonitor.com/category/fashion/fashion-capitals/ |archive-date=23 April 2014 }}</ref> He was present at the [[World Trade Center (1973–2001)|World Trade Center]] on the morning of 11 September 2001, having stopped there on his jog, before returning to his hotel after forgetting his camera.<ref name="dyk"/><ref>Swanton, pp. 114–115.</ref> It was during this trip that he appeared on ''[[The Tonight Show with Jay Leno]]'', which was notable because of the relative lack of interest in competitive swimming in America.<ref name=s113/><ref>Hunter, pp. 280–281.</ref> Thorpe later became a spokesperson for the unsuccessful [[New York City 2012 Olympic bid|New York bid]] for the [[2012 Summer Olympics]], even promising to continue his career until the games if New York won the hosting rights.<ref>{{cite news |first = Jacquelin |last = Magnay |author-link = Jacquelin Magnay |title = Ian Thorpe 'to rescue NY Olympic dream' |url = http://www.theage.com.au/news/sport/ian-thorpe-to-rescue-ny-olympic-dream/2005/07/04/1120329384268.html |work = The Age |location = Australia |date = 5 July 2005 |access-date = 10 November 2006 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20070112205748/http://www.theage.com.au/news/sport/ian-thorpe-to-rescue-ny-olympic-dream/2005/07/04/1120329384268.html |archive-date = 12 January 2007 |url-status = live }}</ref> Thorpe's interests have also seen him involved in television. In 2002, he played the lead role in the reality television show ''[[Undercover Angels]]'', which imitated the ''[[Charlie's Angels]]'' series. In the program, Thorpe directed three young women who performed good deeds for people in need.<ref name=s113/> Although it averaged more than a million viewers per episode, it was widely panned by critics.<ref name="magnetic"/><ref name=s113/><ref>Hunter, pp. 294–295.</ref> Thorpe has also appeared as an extra in the American sitcom ''[[Friends]]''.<ref name="dyk"/><ref name=s113/><ref>Hunter, p. 244.</ref>

Thorpe is widely popular in Asia, particularly Japan. In 2000, [[TV Asahi]] identified him as the swimmer likely to be the most successful at the 2001 World Championships in Fukuoka, so they selected him as the event's marketing figurehead. In the lead-up, Thorpe visited Japan to promote Asahi in a series of television events,<ref name="gsiprofile"/><ref>Hunter, pp. 236, 249, 257–260.</ref> and upon returning for the competition, he was mobbed at the airport by youthful crowds 25&nbsp;m deep; hundreds camped outside the Australian team's hotel.<ref name=hj/><ref>Swanton, pp. 117, 120.</ref> He was also praised by older sections of Japanese society as a role model for youth, due to what they interpreted as his humility and work ethic.<ref name="magnetic"/><ref name=hj>Hunter, pp. 264–265, 275–276.</ref> It was estimated that more than 80% of the Japanese public watched his races on television.<ref>Swanton, p. 120.</ref> In 2002, in the wake of a tourism slump after 11 September terrorist attacks, Thorpe agreed to be an ambassador for the [[Australian Tourism Commission]] in Japan. The high-profile campaign included a meeting with the Japanese Prime Minister [[Junichiro Koizumi]]. The marketing drive resulted in an upturn in Japanese tourism to Australia, which was credited to Thorpe.<ref>Hunter, pp. 292–293.</ref><ref name=sea>{{cite news |first = Paul |last = McIntyre |title = Seafood campaign tests Thorpe's pulling power |url = http://www.smh.com.au/articles/2004/07/07/1089000223836.html?from=storylhs |work =[[The Sydney Morning Herald]] |date = 8 July 2004 |access-date = 16 November 2006 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20060828000400/http://www.smh.com.au/articles/2004/07/07/1089000223836.html?from=storylhs |archive-date = 28 August 2006 |url-status = live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web | last= Hockey | first= Joe| author-link= Joe Hockey |title=Ian Thorpe&nbsp;– Australia's First Holiday Ambassador in Japan |url = http://minister.industry.gov.au/index.cfm?event=object.showContent&objectID=EDC62CAE-FB97-40EE-B7B30CFAA2CC7A91 |publisher=[[Government of Australia]] |date = 25 February 2002 |access-date =22 November 2006 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20070914183239/http://www.minister.industry.gov.au/index.cfm?event=object.showContent&objectID=EDC62CAE-FB97-40EE-B7B30CFAA2CC7A91 |archive-date = 14 September 2007}}</ref><ref>Swanton, p. 142.</ref> In 2005, [[Yakult]] released a 'Thorpedo' energy drink—which featured a picture of the swimmer on the bottle—in Japan.<ref>{{cite web |title=Yakult to sell Ian Thorpe sports drink |url=http://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2005/12/16/business/yakult-to-sell-thorpes-sports-drink/#.UiTG6n8o_s0 |work=[[Japan Today]] |date=16 December 2005 |access-date=22 March 2006 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150518095813/http://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2005/12/16/business/yakult-to-sell-thorpes-sports-drink/#.UiTG6n8o_s0 |archive-date=18 May 2015 |url-status=live  }}</ref> This was part of an equity deal with the [[So Natural (brand)|So Natural]] food group, in which Thorpe was given a 5% stake in the company—at the time worth A$1.1&nbsp;m—in return for the use of his name and image on their products. The 15-year deal covers East and Southeast Asia and Thorpe's share in the venture could increase to 50% depending on its success.<ref name=sea/><ref>Hunter, pp. 350–351.</ref>

===Philanthropy===
[[File:Thorpe Freeman and McMullen.jpg|thumb|300px|Ian Thorpe, [[Cathy Freeman]] and [[Jeff McMullen]] were among some of the speakers at the ''Close the Gap'' launch.]]

More recently, Thorpe has also emerged as a philanthropist, starting the charity ''[[Ian Thorpe's Fountain for Youth]]'' in 2000.<ref>Hunter, p. 248.</ref><ref name=s114>Swanton, p. 114.</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Heffernan |first=Madeleine |date=2015-02-04 |title=Ian Thorpe charity in liquidation |url=https://www.smh.com.au/national/ian-thorpe-charity-in-liquidation-20150203-1353rt.html |access-date=2023-09-11 |website=[[The Sydney Morning Herald]] |language=en}}</ref> The organisation raises funds for research into childhood illnesses and sponsors a school in Beijing for orphaned children with disabilities.<ref name=hp/><ref>Swanton, p. 148.</ref> In addition, it works with [[The Fred Hollows Foundation]] to improve health standards and living conditions in [[Indigenous Australians|Australian aboriginal]] communities.<ref name="gsiprofile"/><ref name=hp>Hunter, pp. 331–333.</ref><ref>{{cite web |url= http://www.hollows.org/content/TextOnly.aspx?s=168|title= Jeff McMullen|access-date=16 November 2006 |publisher=The Fred Hollows Foundation |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060820190338/http://www.hollows.org/content/TextOnly.aspx?s=168 |archive-date=20 August 2006}}</ref> Citing a wish to "...work directly with our Aboriginal partners and not compete for the meagre funding available from public and corporate donations" the organisation was [[liquidated]] in 2014.<ref>{{Cite web|title = Ian Thorpe charity in liquidation|url = http://www.smh.com.au/national/ian-thorpe-charity-in-liquidation-20150204-1353rt.html|access-date = 8 July 2015|work =[[The Sydney Morning Herald]] |last = Heffernan|first = Madeline|date = 4 February 2014|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20150622071835/http://www.smh.com.au/national/ian-thorpe-charity-in-liquidation-20150204-1353rt.html|archive-date = 22 June 2015|url-status = live}}</ref>

===Depression===
In 2014, it was confirmed that Thorpe had been admitted to a rehabilitation clinic after neighbours found him dazed near his parents' [[Panania, New South Wales|Panania]] home. Thorpe was taken to Bankstown Hospital by police before being admitted to a rehabilitation clinic.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2014-02-03 |title=Ian Thorpe: Swimming star in rehab |url=https://www.cnn.com/2014/02/03/sport/ian-thorpe-swimming-depression-rehabilitation/index.html |access-date=2023-09-11 |website=[[CNN]] |language=en}}</ref> In his 2012 autobiography ''This is Me'', Thorpe stated he had considered suicide and had drunk 'huge quantities' of alcohol to deal with 'crippling depression'.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.smh.com.au/sport/swimming/ian-thorpe-admitted-to-rehabilitation-clinic-20140203-31x46.html |title=Ian Thorpe admitted to rehabilitation clinic |work=[[The Sydney Morning Herald]] |date=3 February 2014 |access-date=3 February 2014 |author=Carayannis, Michael |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140203172232/http://www.smh.com.au/sport/swimming/ian-thorpe-admitted-to-rehabilitation-clinic-20140203-31x46.html |archive-date=3 February 2014 |url-status=live  }}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last= |first= |date=2016-02-18 |title=Ian Thorpe: former Olympic champion's mental health issues began as a teenager |language=en-GB |work=[[The Guardian]] |url=https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2016/feb/18/ian-thorpe-former-olympic-champions-mental-health-issues-began-as-a-teenager |access-date=2023-09-11 |issn=0261-3077}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |title=Thorpe reveals depression fight |language=en-GB |work=BBC Sport |url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/swimming/19935433 |access-date=2023-09-11}}</ref>