Ian Thorpe

View Ian Thorpe's Biography

"For myself, losing is not coming second. It's getting out of the water knowing you could have done better. For myself, I have won every race I've been in."

Full Name:	Ian James Thorpe
Nickname(s):	Thorpedo, Thorpey
Born:	October 13th, 1982
	Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
Nationality:	Australia
Status:	Hiatus

Ian James Thorpe, also known as the Thorpedo, was born on October 13, 1982 in Milperra, a suburb of Sydney, Australia. He is the most decorated male Australian Olympian, and was the most successful athlete at the 2000 Summer Olympics in Sydney. In his youth, Thorpe followed his older sister to the pool, where he promptly discovered a chlorine allergy. Only with the help of a nose-clip was he able to compete with his face in the water – and then the Thorpedo was born. Early international competition After outgrowing his allergy, Thorpe went on to captain the New South Wales team during the Australian Primary Schools Championships in 1994. In 1996, his sister qualified for the Atlanta Olympics, and their coach, Doug Frost, sent Thorpe to qualifiers in Sydney to give him a taste of competing under the national eye, but it wasn’t until he qualified for the 1997 Pan Pacific Championships in Fukuoka, Japan that Thorpe entered the international spotlight. Unfortunately, he had his appendix out two months before competition, which disrupted a vital part of his training season. He did not medal in his first individual event, the 200 free, however, he qualified for the 4 x 200 free relay, …

Will there be a comeback for Ian Thorpe?

Although Ian Thorpe has talked about making comebacks for the both the 2013 World Championships and the 2014 Commonwealth Games,…

Coutts and Bohl feel Aussie training camp a huge success

After a disappointing performance at the London Olympics and even more disappointing behavioural problems, the brass within Swimming Australia decided…

Thorpe has his sights set on 2013 World Championships

When Ian Thorpe decided to return to the pool in February of 2011 his intial goal was to qualify for…

Lifetime Achievement, 2012 Swammy Award Winner, Michael Phelps

“Michael’s path to greatness was sealed when he lost to Ian Thorpe and Pieter van den Hoogenband in Athens in the 200 freestyle. It proved Michael was fearless, unshakable.” (Swim Photo Credit: VIS)

Is Ian Thorpe Relevant Today?

Swim News: “A thorough biography of Ian Thorpe’s life and career was completed in 2004 by Greg Hunter, so what’s left to learn?” (Swim Photo Credit: CW)

5-time London Olympic Medalist, Coutts, Finally Lands Major Endorsement

Swim News: “In London, Coutts won gold in the women’s 4×100 freestyle relay, three silver medals in the 200 individual medley, 4×200 freestyle relay and the 4×100 medley relay, and a bronze in the 100 butterfly.” (Swim Photo Credit: SPR)

5-time Aussie Olympic Medalist Coutts Has No Endorsements

Swim News: “Aussie Swimmers, historically, have fared well in the Olympic biz. Not anymore.” (Swim Photo Credit: Tim Binning, theswimpictures)

Dave Enters Another Dumbension…

…and Gary lets him know. Again. And again. Come read, you’ll hate it!

Sun Yang Breaks Ian Thorpe’s Olympic Record

Sun Yang wins China’s first Aquatic gold medal in London

David: Gary, Have You Ever Googled Your Name?

David and Gary unlock the secrets of why Google fills in “Gary Hall Jr” with…

Dave and Gary

Meet Dave and Gary… the only authors on SwimSwam that need a disclaimer

Phelps Receives Huge Honor Ahead of Games

He won’t get a trophy, but Michael Phelps receives a huge honor from the London transport system

Rice Makes it Two on Sunday

Stephanie Rice qualified in the 200 IM, which means either Seebohm our Coutts had to be left out… (Photo Courtesy: ©Tim Binning/TheSwimPictures.com)

Thorpe Fails to Make Olympic Team in Second Try

Ian Thorpe’s final attempt at the London Olympic Team was derailed from the very first step.

Thorpe Out in 200 Free Semi’s; Palmer Breaks National Record

Thorpe didn’t move on in the 200 free, but Kylie Palmer (pictured) gave a big thrill with a new National Record.