Australian retired swimmer Ian James Thorpe participated in backstroke, individual medley, and freestyle events in addition to his freestyle specialty. With compatriot swimmer Emma McKeon, he has the most Olympic gold medal victories of any Australian with five.
He was the most successful athlete at the Sydney, Australia, 2000 Summer Olympics, winning three gold and two silver medals.
Who Are Ken And Margaret Thorpe, Ian Thorpe’s Parents?
The former Australian swimmer, Ian Thorpe, is the son of Ken Thorpe. He was a young, talented cricketer who competed at the youth levels.
In the district competition in Sydney, Ian Thorpe’s father played for the Bankstown District Cricket Club. At the age of 26, he decided to retire.
Ken and Margaret Thorpe, Ian Thorpe’s parents, resided in their house in Panania. But they put the house on the market in 2018. The four-bedroom, two-bathroom house on its 564 square meter block, located in the inner southwest Sydney district, had been downsized by Ken and Margaret Thorpe.
Even though Ken was a skilled hitter, his father put pressure on him. He was forced to leave cricket as a result of being sidetracked.
Ian came out as gay in July 2014 while speaking with British talk show presenter Michael Parkinson. The same year, Thorpe’s father admitted he was unaware Ian was gay.
According to Ken Thorpe, the Olympic swimming champion reportedly enjoyed his family’s love and support after Ian came out to them two weeks before recording the interview with Sir Michael Parkinson. Ian had previously denied being gay.
Ian Thorpe Family Bio
Ian Thrope was born into an athlete’s family. Despite facing many hardships, Ian Thorpe’s family was interested in sports.
Margaret Thorpe, Thorpe’s mother, was an A-grade netball player who eventually became a teacher. Christina, his sister, was a swimmer as well.
He wished that he could swim, just like his elder sister Christina. But the start of his training was delayed due to his allergy to chlorine. Likewise, he was obese as a young child.
Ian didn’t start competing until he was seven. He overcame such obstacles nevertheless and finally became the world’s youngest male champion. Thorpe had a successful swimming career. But he sustained numerous wounds.
Due to a shoulder injury, Ian could not compete at the Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games. Thorpe spent time in a recovery facility the same year. He had sadness, and his drug problems were complex.
How Much Is Ian Thorpe’s Net Worth?
Currently, Ian Thorpe is worth $2 million. Ian Thorpe, often known as Thorpey and Thorpedo in the swimming community, is regarded as the most successful Olympian since 2000.
He was recognized as the Australian Swimmer of the Year from 1999 to 2003 and was the first sportsperson to be named the Swimming World Swimmer of the Year four times.
He won five Olympic medals, including two silver and three gold, at the Summer Olympics in 2000. Thorpedo competes in backstroke and individual medley despite his preference for freestyle.
According to reports, he had glandular fever, bronchitis, and despondency. There have been many allegations about his sexuality throughout his whole swimming career. Thorpe later stated that he is heterosexual, not gay.
He declared his retirement in 2006. He made his comeback announcement in February 2011 and attended the London Olympics again in 2012. The developing competition between Michael Phelps and Ian Thorpe has many fans interested.