Welcome to the first day of the rest of your life, Ian Thorpe!
The Australian swimming sensation finally came out as gay in a televised interview with journalist Michael Parkinson over the weekend.
The now 31-year-old man has been asked over and over again about his sexuality since he was just a 16-year-old kid!
After a deep bout with depression, Ian decided it was time to reveal his true self.
Parkinson asked Thorpe in their sit down about telling people that he was not gay and that all of his sexual experiences had been with women. He then asked if it was all true.
Ian answered:
“Well, that’s true. But…I’ve thought about this for a long time. I’m not straight. And this is only something that very recently, we’re talking in the past two weeks, I’ve been comfortable telling the closest people around me.”
Talk about courage!
Ian then opened up about the struggles he went through hiding this part of himself. He explained:
“I felt the lie had become so big that I didn’t want people to question my integrity. I’m comfortable saying I’m a gay man. I don’t want young people to feel the same way I did. You can grow up, you can be comfortable, and you can be gay.”
We think those words are going to inspire a lot of gay kids struggling with their sexuality, in Australia and around the world!
Well done, Thorpedo! You’re a hell of an athlete and a hell of a role model!
Watch Ian Thorpe’s full interview video (below)!!!
[Image via Pacific Coast News.]
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