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Ian Thorpe comes out on his terms

Coming out is an individual path, regardless of whether you're an Olympic champ or not.

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2014-07-13_0123According to media reports today, Olympian Ian Thorpe reveals to Michael Parkinson that he is gay.

The topic, which contradicts previous statements by the swimming champ, has been heavily promoted by TEN this week. The Parkinson-produced interview was also rescheduled to a 6pm timeslot to avoid clashing with Seven’s X Factor launch.

At a whopping 90 minutes, the special comes from TEN’s News division overseen by Peter Meakin.

Thorpe, who recently signed to TEN for its Commonwealth Games coverage, is likely to have a sympathetic interview from Parkinson -also represented by the same management. But TEN has promised no question is off limits.

For years Thorpe has shunned speculation about his sexuality, and denied suggestions he is gay (I don’t recall anybody ever asking if he was bisexual, maybe it was all in the wording…).

But coming out for any gay man is a deeply individual path.

The timing should always be a personal choice. No doubt being in an international spotlight with hefty commercial contracts at a young age would have been a consideration, for a decision that already weighs heavily on many young men.

Others sport stars such as Matthew Mitcham, Ian Roberts, Tom Daley, Billie Jean King, Greg Louganis, Daniel Kowalski, Bobby Goldsmith and Jason Ball have done much to take a public stand.

At 31, and having dealt with other issues including depression and health, Thorpe has clearly reassessed who he is and what he is prepared to share.

Parkinson has said of the interview, “I think his sexuality is no one’s business but his own. But I think it’s one of the best interviews I have ever done in terms of (Thorpe) talking about depression and things like that.”

Ian Thorpe: The Parkinson Interview airs at 6pm tonight on TEN.

41 Responses

  1. I can understand why he might want to not have wanted to admit to his sexuality and actively hide it. I hope he is feeling good about the decision to come out. I wish him the best.

    I saw an excerpt on ABC News. I liked both interviewer and interviewed. I didn’t try to watch it on Ten.

  2. I bet a huge weight has been lifted off his shoulders now. Yes people suspected but he obviously wasnt ready to reveal it years ago.

    Its a shame to write this but if he came out 16 17 years ago I m not sure people would have accepted it like these days. And they shouldnt have to either. Its Ians business People have said if he did sponsorship would be affected which is wrong.

    Now I hope he can live a happy life and I look forward to watching him on the comm games.

  3. Hey everyone, I would like to announce I am straight!
    I know everyone thought I was gay.
    Will Parkinson want to do a 90 minute interview with me?

  4. I Don’t care if Ian Thorpe comes out or not.

    The problem is mainly, is the constant hounding of the poor bugger. Why don’t the media just leave him the bloody hell alone,

  5. Fair enough David, various news links online have stated the $400k, of course i realize you can’t rely on the media to be accurate about that but would have thought that if it wasn’t correct Thorpes team would refute it fairly quickly.

  6. Mistaken, were you expecting other media outlets to give Ten a free plug for any other ‘revelations’? It’s clear that Ten dropped the gay info early this morning to give the program the push it needed. If you must blame someone, blame them.

  8. It’s disappointing that in the lead up to the interview all the media focused on was Ian ‘coming out’. Ian gave viewers an incredible insight into his battle with depression and achievements as an athlete. All round an exceptional interview with a young, articulate man who will be remember for his feats in the pool, not who he chose to love.

  9. Watched it and loved it. Felt really sorry for him about the nightmare it must have been to not be able to come out. No two people are the same so there is no right or wrong way and time to come out. As in Ian’s case, it has to be when the person is ready and it’s a very personal matter for when the timing is right. No one should criticize him for waiting this long. Just feel happy for him that he’s reached a stage in his life where he feels loved enough to be the real him. Big hugs Thorpey 🙂

  10. i watched the interview tonight and i do feel bad that it took ian so long to be honest with his family and friends. i was cynical of this interview before i saw it but i saw some realism in this interview. sometimes you need to see things for what they are.

  12. I’m a little bit jealous, i wish someone would pay me $400,000 to come out! Not that they would need to, but i don’t fit any stereotype so people are sometimes suprised because of their own pre conceived notions of how a queer person look/act. Ok i know the interview was not all about that subject, but lets face it, would he have been paid that much if that question had not been asked in it?? i doubt it.

    @gregaus well said, pretty much sums up what i am thinking at this point. It is one thing to avoid an issue but to specifically lie about it is another. Its not as if he grew up in the 1950s when the consequences of coming out could literally be a matter of being imprisoned or not etc

    1. There’s no confirmation of $400,000 for one interview and TEN does not have that kind of money to chuck at this. I think you will find the interview was part of his overall network contract. That fee has not been disclosed. They never are. It’s aways between management and talent. Media constantly speculate without confirmation. Sorry to blow that theory.

  13. Oh for goodness sake..just accept people as they are….does it really matter what their sexuality is…the colour of their skin….how tall/short/fat/thin they are….or whether they have polka dots…Really!…how shallow…get a life people.
    I just think it is sad that this lovely young man felt the need to even do this interview.

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