Biography for
Ian Thorpe (II) More at IMDbPro »

Date of Birth

13 October 1982, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia

Birth Name

Ian James Thorpe

Nickname

Thorpedo
Thorpey

Height

6' 5" (1.96 m)

Mini Biography

As a child, Ian Thorpe grew tired of watching his older sister, Christina, swim in competitions. He decided to take up swimming so that he would not be bored. But Ian, who would later become one of the greatest swimmers the world has ever known, had to first over come an allergy to chlorine. By the age of 11, Ian had outgrown the allergy. At 14, Ian made history by becoming the youngest male to ever make the Australian Mens' swim team. At 17, Ian was selected for the Australian Mens' Olympic swim team. He became the hero of the Games for Australia, and was even asked to carry the flag during the Closing Ceremony. Ian has since hosted his own TV show, "Undercover Angels" (2002) and designed a line of jewelry with Autore South Sea Pearls. He is also the co-founder of "Ian Thorpe's Foundation For Youth Trust," a charity that benefits the treatment of children with life-threatening illnesses. At the present time, Ian says that his plans are to swim until the 2008 Olympics, but he adds that he will stop swimming when he ceases to enjoy it.

IMDb Mini Biography By: Ana <princessa_ana@hotmail.com>

Trivia

Was the youngest person to ever join the Australian Mens' Swim Team.

Is the honorary Australian Ambassador for Tourism in Japan.

Holds 22 world records in swimming.

With the exception of his athletic ability, Ian is best known for his size 17 feet.

His father Ken was once a professional cricket player.

His mother, Margaret, is a teacher

His older sister, Christina, was also a swimmer

Is fluent in French.

Won three gold and two silver medals at the Sydney 2000 Olympic Games

Ian won the 2003 Swimmer of the Year and has done so consecutively for the last 3 years being the only person to do so.

On the morning of September 11th, he was on his way to the observation deck at the World Trade Center when he realized he forgot his camera. He went back to get it, and when he turned on the television in his room he saw the North Tower ablaze.

He enjoys watching "Friends" (1994).

He was awarded $A10,000 following the 2000 Summer Olympics as a recipient of the Powerade Never Give Up Award and immediately gave it all to charity.

At the age of 15, he became the youngest gold medalist in World Championships history when winning the 400m freestyle race(1998).

Created his own 2004 signature underwear line named 'it'.

Won two gold, one silver and one bronze medal at the 2004 Summer Olympics in Athens, which made him the most successful Australian swimmer at Olympic Games ever.

Ambassador of Armani clothing and his own line of jewelery.

On November 21st 2006 announced that he is retiring from Professional Swimming.

Personal Quotes

Sometimes we question things that we have done in our lives, but how many times do we question what we haven't done in someone else's?