Aussie Swimmer Ian Thorpe: Is he or Isn't he...?

[ad rian]

http://news.ninemsn.com.au/Sport/story_28318.asp?MSID=6d40353f6b864cd7806381801f7fdc0a

 

Swimmer Ian Thorpe has shrugged off persistent rumours regarding his sexuality but says he's flattered by the `gay' tag.

 

Thorpe said he believed people had labelled him homosexual because he was articulate, had an interest in fashion and did not resemble the stereotype of the macho Aussie bloke.

 

In an interview aired on ABC Radio, the Olympic gold medallist and world record holder said the gay rumours were flattering but wrong.

 

"I think people are very quick to judge," Thorpe said.

 

"You know I'm a little bit different to what most people would consider being an Australian male.

 

"That doesn't make me gay.

 

"I mean, I'm straight, so people want to claim me as part of a minority group and you know, want to put labels on people and that's not what I'm about and I don't understand why other people are like that."

 

Thorpe said there was a huge number of male celebrities and athletes with the same sexuality "question mark" hanging over their heads.

 

"It's the most flattering thing that anyone can ever say because if someone wants to label you or claim you as part of a minority group it means you must have some strength in your character or in what you do," he said.

 

Thorpe said he believed the rumours began because he was in the limelight and perceived as different.

 

"I think it's because when I speak at engagements I try to speak as well as what I possibly can," he said.

 

"I try to be articulate ... I don't try and sound macho (with an) Australian accent just for the sake of having it.

 

"I have an interest in fashion, I have interests in things most people don't classify as being the macho male thing."

 

http://www.geocities.com/Colosseum/Court/5449/ian_bathers.htm

 

http://www.geocities.com/Colosseum/Court/5449/ian_bathers.htm

[ad rian]

Sorry, I meant to add this one too:

 

http://www.geocities.com/Colosseum/Court/5449/ian-goodweekend.htm

[Rick Munroe]

>"It's the most flattering thing that anyone can ever say

>because if someone wants to label you or claim you as part of

>a minority group it means you must have some strength in your

>character or in what you do," he said.

 

Very smart man. I love this quote.

[fedssocr1]

Interesting. That's the first time I've ever heard of him addressing the issue.

 

He did attend the Gay Games swimming events according to a local newspaper story I read. Apparently he was there to participate in some sort of youth swimming instruction. I didn't exactly understand what one had to do with the other. But he's the only "celeb" I heard of attending the games.

[ad rian]

>He did attend the Gay Games swimming events according to a

>local newspaper story I read. Apparently he was there to

>participate in some sort of youth swimming instruction. I

>didn't exactly understand what one had to do with the other.

>But he's the only "celeb" I heard of attending the games.

 

I can see why guys on team sports like football (English or American), rugby might not want to come out. Ditto for boxers and guys in blood sports. But what is the big deal for swimmers and skaters? Don't they start out with a doubt anyway? As for Thorpe, he seems to court the image. Does he make more money with the ambiguity than he would lose by coming out on one side or another?

[nate_sf]

>I can see why guys on team sports like football (English or

>American), rugby might not want to come out. Ditto for boxers

>and guys in blood sports. But what is the big deal for

>swimmers and skaters? Don't they start out with a doubt

>anyway? As for Thorpe, he seems to court the image. Does he

>make more money with the ambiguity than he would lose by

>coming out on one side or another?

 

I think all sports still seem to be really homophobic, even when on the outside it seems crazy. I have a lesbian friend who was a suceesful track star, and is now an agent, and all the while she's been very very selective about who she comes out to. It's puzzled me because she is so outgoing otherwise, but the competitiveness and backbiting that goes on in professional sports (I can't believe the stories she tells me) seems to make people afraid to show any card that would put them at a disadvantage.

 

Why Thorpe courts the image I don't know, but it sure gets him in the news. I suppose keeping both girls and boys in your fan base could be a good thing...