I'm a big fan of Ian Thorpe, and I've heard rumors about his sexuality on the net.

http://www.sportingimages.com.au/wwwboard/...ming/index.html

I really don't know, but I am very curious about the topic. I came across something today that I found interesting, and I thought you guys might want to read it. This article is from May, but I'm not sure if it was discussed here.

http://www.theage.com.au/sport/2001/05/17/...FXO586ZRMC.html

It sounds like something may be up, but then again, who know's?

This leads me to a few questions. If there might be an athlete who is coming to grips with his/her sexuality, is there any way that we should or could help? When the day comes, when a major athlete does come-out, how should we help to support this person?

I just have a hunch that very soon we will see a major athlete come out, and that with the firestorm that will follow in the media, I'm hoping that there is something we can do?

Ian seems to be an incredible athlete, and a remarkable young man. Regardless of his personal life, I'm sure he will be one of the great sport stars of our time, and I hope he will find all the love and happiness his heart desires.

A cool site about Ian Thorpe:
http://devoted.to/thorpedo2000/

I think the only way to support the person is to go to games and cheer. There's not too much else you can do.

If you feel really ambitious, maybe write a touching fan letter.

I suppose any guy who's that talented and that cute is going to be subjected to sexuality rumors. He's only 18 or 19 yrs old for god's sake; the press should give him a break....He's phenomenal to watch whatever his sexual preference..

I agree. As an ex-swimmer Ian Thorpe is possibly the most amazing swimmer I've ever seen. He could easily have another solid 8 years in his career. The press should leave him alone. When I think about how hard it was coming to grips with one's sexuality at that age, ugh.

p.s. I do hope there is a major-sport pro, gay male athlete that comes out someday. It may be the first jersey I ever buy.

[quote]Originally posted by Bryan:
He's only 18 or 19 yrs old for god's sake; the press should give him a break....He's phenomenal to watch whatever his sexual preference..

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Guys, I hope, on this board at least, we can agree that being called gay is hardly the worst thing that can happen to a guy. Even if he is only 18.

I can't help but feel sympathetic for Ian Thorpe. Whether he really is gay or not isn't the point. The issue here is this rumor-mongering the media often subjects these world class athletes to. It seems like any male athlete who displays even a hint of those traits widely perceived to be "gay" (i.e. pretty looks, effeminate voices, etc.), gets branded a homosexual. All this does is 1) reinforce existing stereotypes about gays and 2) tarnish the athlete's image. There's nothing wrong with being gay, of course. But I think there's a huge difference between allowing an athlete to come out on his/her own terms and being outed in a major media scandal.

I can't honestly say I have an opinion on Ian Thorpe's sexuality. There is one particular American swimmer, however, who does kinda set off my gaydar: Anthony Ervin. Again, this is just a personal hunch. I'll be the first to admit that there is a certain amount "wishful thinking" involved here, cuz I do think Anthony's very attractive. But again, it's not something I'd go do a story on if I were in the media.

The sex lives of athletes and other celebrities are in the public eye--it's not fair, but it is a fact. In a perfect world, it would make no difference whether Ian Thorpe were romancing Anna Kournikova or J-M. Gambill--both would be breathlessly reported in the press, and no one would censure him for either. Unfortunately, there are still likely to be negative consequences (some of them financial) for an athlete who comes out, so reporters respectfully avoid saying anything that would reveal a player's gay or lesbian sexuality. While it's a good thing to respect privacy (though they don't necessarily accord straight athletes that respect), it also helps to perpetuate the idea that homosexuality is something shameful, that should be hidden. It's a vicious cycle, and I don't have a solution to it.

On the other hand, I could not help but notice that the coach really just requested people shut up about it and leave the guy alone, rather than issuing a denial. He said Thorpe "enjoys women's company", something that could just as easily be said of me. Maybe just a canny move, since denying something can help to publicize the rumor (like that ludicrous ad Richard Gere put out). Or it may be leaving the door open for Ian to come out, of his own choosing, at some time of his choosing, without having lied about his sexuality.

I think it's crazy for the press to speculate on someone who is that successful at such a young age. Why didn't people start questioning Pete Sampras' sexuality when he won the US Open as a teenager in 1990? At the time, he didn't publicly have a girlfriend (Delana Mulcahy came along later). There are a lot of teenage, top tier pro athletes who have spent all of their free time honing their craft which left little time for dating. It's the sacrifice they made to be world class.

I think Ian is WAY too young for people to be speculating about his sexuality. Regardless of his sexual orientation, I doubt that he's had the time to put into developing a serious romantic relationship of any kind.

Good points all around, guys; the main point is: what does a guy's orientation have to do with how fast he swims? IMHO, they should be more concerned with his webbed toes.

The obsession of today's media seems to be to bring down those who rise to the top of their respective profession. Journalism has become less about the "5 W's," and more about slick op-ed pieces designed to pad bank accounts, irregardless of the human lives left in their wake. The sports page is simply a microcosm of the world as a whole.

Re: Thorpedo's webbed toes - that guy could make a shrimper out of me!

My friends in Sydney tell me all this recent rash of innuendo has cropped up as a result of a private feud between Ian and his coach. Not sure as to the reasons...sorry I don't have more details.
They also say that Ian is just a swimming obsessed virgin.
Well, he is 18 (or so). And his whole life to this point has been consummed by training and school and the "dirty" Olympics.
I'm willing to accept that all this rumor is simply another round of rumor. Unless Ian calls me and asks to suck my dick, or comes out on TV, I'll assume his denials to be the truth.

Coming out is a life-changing event, and doing so should be a personal choice. Being a hero of crazed Aussies can only make that struggle even more agonizing. I can't even fathom what its like to do that.

I'm not going to speculate about the Thorpedo. Yeah, he's a good-looking kid, but I'm still going to watch him swim no matter what his preference. He should be hounded for the enxt Gold Medal, not about who he is dating.

In another thread on the subject of Thorpe's sexuality, Aussie Bomber posted:

This article appeared in todays Age newspaper in Melbourne.

http://www.theage.com.au/articles/2002/11/...7490052515.html

Good for him. Glad straight guys are allowed to partake in something other than beer-guzzling and skirt-chasing without having their sexuality questioned.

For many this may recall the Piazza "I'm not gay" denial, but I think Thorpe has probably been under a brighter spotlight for a longer time and is justified in clarifying things.

Hopefully the pressure hasn't compelled him to make a decision about his sexuality before he himself has had a chance to fully explore and understand it.

According to the headline on a story that not only required registration but payment to read, Thorpe attended events at the Gay Games swimming venue. Whether or not he's gay, I think that's a good statement for the level of competition at the Gay Games, or his level of tolerance for competition that isn't quite up to his standards

With Thorpe now having to do a 'Mike Piazza' I'm fearful gay-friendly straight athletes will withdraw from any show of support lest they also have to convince the media they are "straight but not narrow". Perhaps the best thing Outsports can do is respond with a "who cares". Is this all being driven by the media or gay organizations hoping to drag someone out of the closet?

[quote]Originally posted by TC:
Perhaps the best thing Outsports can do is respond with a "who cares".

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Well "Outsports" has responded of sorts with an IMO perfectly appropriate comment in today's
Jock Talk 11.20.2002.

I agree that it would be tragic if straight guys were frightened away from expressing themselves for fear of being gay. But that reeks of the "fear of showering with gay guys" syndrome. They should have the courage to do what they want and ignore the uninformed comments of the masses. Gay men do the same all the time.

I'm still reading JOCKS 2 and it's surprising how many gay sports-lovers/participants feel awkward in gay groups because of other gays give them flak for liking - or pretending to like, as they accuse - sports.

The only young (~22) straight man I've gotten to know well who seems completely secure in his heterosexuality happens to be an Australian: my partners nephew. We were both amused by his enthusiastic interest (read precocupation) with colognes. A friend even suspected he was gay and set him up with to party some music students of his. They were a mixture of gay/straight/female/male. As it turned out he had a great time with all, but was rumored to have spent the night with one of the female students.

Thorpes interest in fashion could well indicate that he is going through the usual teenager's vain fascination with their own bodies. Only a guy truly secure in his own sexuality would pursue a career in that field. His interest IMO says nothing about his sexuality. Still I wish that people his age were not forced to chose sexual preferences so to speak, especially if they're virgins.

Has anyone heard about the theory about big feet and big hands? Well, I know that during the 2000 Olympics, the commentators kept mentioning that Thorpe had big hands and even bigger feet (I seem to recall, he wears a size 15 shoe!!) That makes my mind fantasize about other things about Ian Thorpe!! :-) Just something to ponder. hehehehe

[quote]Originally posted by SmoothRon:
Has anyone heard about the theory about big feet and big hands?

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Require big shoes and big gloves?

The rumours about Thorpe have been ciculating here for some time and the commercial impact should also be understood too, particularly as his management have somehow been involved.

Swimming is a major sport in Australia and the champions are household names. It has been reported Thorpe earns over $12 million a year in endorsements, sponsorships etc so the value of those endorsements would be greatly discounted should he come out or make statements to that effect. It is just a fact of commercial reality.

Furthermore, Thorpe has consistently said in interviews that he remains a virgin so amplification of that comment is that his sexual predilection has not, as yet, been determined. I remember as a boy that I said I hated shrimp until one day I tried it , loved it and have been getting into it ever since!! (Odious comparison I know...lol)

[quote](I seem to recall, he wears a size 15 shoe!!) That makes my mind fantasize about other things about Ian Thorpe!! :-) Just something to ponder. hehehehe[/QB]

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Apparently virtually everyone in Aus knows his shoe size is 17.

In this article the Thorpe stats are summarized as

[quote]EVENTS 400-m and 4x100-m freestyle; 200-m and 4x200-m freestyle TECHNIQUE Thorpe's ability to accelerate, powered by his size-17 feet, his 193-cm length and the 2.7 m he covers per stroke, just may make the 17-year-old the best swimmer ever

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Sportinlife you are correct..everyone here does know the Thorpedo's shoe size is 17.

If I get any information on other sizes I will post here.

[QUOTE]Originally posted by Macman11:
[QB]I'm a big fan of Ian Thorpe, and I've heard rumors about his sexuality on the net. <snip>

I think most people have probably heard by now, but Ian has publicly stated that he is NOT gay. He has done so in a way that does not imply anything negative about being gay. See http://news.ninemsn.com.au/Sport/story_28318.asp for the story.

Tony Whelan
Canberra

There are virtually no attractive guys who enter public consciousness who aren't rumored to be gay by either gossip columnists or discussion board posters. Much wishful thinking out there. Ian Thorpe has politely and clearly stated he's not gay but I'm sure those who have the inclination will continue baseless rumors. It gets old.

[quote]Originally posted by Tony Whelan:
[QUOTE]Originally posted by Macman11:
[QB]He has done so in a way that does not imply anything negative about being gay. See http://news.ninemsn.com.au/Sport/story_28318.asp for the story.

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Indeed, his comments take one more little chip out of the wall of prejudice. Thanks for the link.