Ian Thorpe is probably one of the first names that pops into your mind when you think of famous Australian swimmers.
But if you were watching Anh’s Brush With Fame on the ABC last night, then chances are you saw a different side to him.
The Thorpedo, as he was dubbed during his swimming career, opened up about his struggles with his sexuality and shared a heartbreaking story with Anh.
He told Anh that he wishes he had come as gay sooner, and admits he made the decision to finally come out a few years ago because of all the rumours that had dogged his career.
“You know I was accused of being gay when… I think I was 16 at the time,” he said.
“But because it was kind of like I was being accused of it, I’d always thought of it, as that being a bad thing.”
But it was his recollection of an incident that happened with his boyfriend that has moved a lot of people on social media.
“I pecked my boyfriend in the back of a car and I was told, to show some respect, and “that’s disgusting”. “I don’t want you in my car”,” Thorpe revealed.
“I was rattled. I didn’t realise that in Sydney in 2016, this can happen.”
Speaking about the same-sex marriage debate, Thorpe said he felt like a ‘second-class citizen’.
“I feel as though what I’m doing is wrong,” he told Anh.
“That’s what’s implied when you don’t have the same kind of rights, and human rights, as other people.”
At the end of the episode, Anh unveiled his stunning portrait of Thorpe, who loved it!