Ian Thorpe has 5 Olympic gold medals, 9 Commonwealth gold, 13 World Championships and 23 world records.

In his 9 years competing in the pool he was known as the Thorpedo, his big feet and long wingspan propelling him through the water for almost every distance from 100m to 800m.

But there was one title we weren’t aware of when he was in the sporting spotlight.

Today we speak to the man himself about the moment he sat down with Michael Parkinson and revealed to the world he was gay, whether he would have come out sooner had he known the response from the public and how he plans to spend his time celebrating in Sydney for World Pride in 2023.

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CREDITS 

Host: Claire Murphy

With thanks to: 

Ian Thorpe - Olympian and Optus Sydney World Pride Ambassador

Catharine Lumby -  Gender Adviser, Professor at The University of Sydney and Director and Principal of workplace consultancy business, Catharine Lumby Associates

Producer: Claire Murphy

Executive Producer: Liv Proud

Audio Producer: Thom Lion