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| Ian Thorpe |
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| Sport | Swimming |
| Nickname | Thorpedo |
| Born | 13th October 1982, Sydney |
| Nationality | Australian |
| Residence | Sydney, Australia |
| Height | 1.95m (6' 4'') |
| Weight | 102 kg (16st) |
| Shoe Size | US 17 |
| Apparel Size | XL |
| Website | http://www.ianthorpe.com/ |
| Biography | Present:
Already touted as the greatest swimmer in the world at just 21 years of age, Ian Thorpe is an Australian Icon and sporting superstar of gigantic proportions. He also remains arguably the most loved sportsperson in Australia today.
Ian says his family’s involvement in his swimming career is one of the major influences in his success. Ian’s parents consciously avoided placing pressure on Ian and would regularly ask him if he wanted to continue swimming.
Apart from his amazing deeds in the pool, what has endeared Ian to the Australian public is his genuine humility and the poise that he shows in the media.
2004
Prior to the world’s biggest sporting event, Ian teams up with 400m hurdler Jana Pittman, as the face of adidas Australia’s ‘Impossible is Nothing’ advertising campaign. Reflecting the hopes of a nation, the campaign strengthens Ian and Jana’s status as Australia’s two premier athletes.
Competing in the Janet Evans International in Los Angeles, Ian clocked his best ever 200m freestyle time, outside a major championship.
At the 2004 Australian Swimming National Titles, Ian displays the qualities of a true champion. Following his disqualification from his pet event (400m freestyle), Ian claimed both the 100m and 200m freestyle, overcoming the pressures of huge public expectation.
In a history making commercial, Ian and select group of current adidas athletes from around the globe, join the great Muhammad Ali on one of his famous long runs. The ‘Impossible is Nothing’ campaign brings to life the attitude adidas shares with athletes around the world, and confirms Ian’s status within the global sporting community.
2003
Wearing the recently developed JETCONCEPT bodysuit Ian claimed 3 gold medals, 1 silver and 1 bronze, at the World Championships in Barcelona.
Amongst his achievements, Ian became the first person in swimming history to win 3 consecutive world titles in the one event, the 400m freestyle.
2002
In 2002, Ian continued his amazing performances, including breaking his 13th Individual long course World record. Late in 2002 Ian changed swim coach and is now coached by Tracey Menzies.
2001
At the World Championships in Fukuoka, Ian achieved 6 gold medal performances, including 3 World records.
2000
Ian became the most successful Australian athlete ever at an Olympic Games following his amazing performances in Sydney where he won 3 gold, 2 silver, and broke 3 world records.
Throughout his swimming career, Ian has broken 21 world records, including 3 during the Australian Olympic swim trials in March 2000. Having broken 3 world records in just as many days, Ian declared his highlight of the meet was “being named as part the Australian Olympic team”.
Ian establishishes his own charity, the “Ian Thorpe Fountain For Youth’ which aims to raise money for needy causes. Ian makes a significant financial contribution to this charity each year.
1997
Ian shook world swimming when at the age of 15 he became the youngest ever male swimmer to represent Australia. But he took it all in his stride evidenced by his reaction to making the 1997 Pan Pac’s team. ‘All I came here for was to swim my best and as it turned out it was good enough to make the Australian team and that’s a bonus’.
At this age Ian then became the youngest World Swimming Champion in history when he won the 400 metres freestyle at the World Swimming Championships in Perth.
1990
Ian started swimming at the age of eight under Jenny McAdam. He started because ‘I was sick of watching my sister Christina compete at swimming carnivals so I decided I would start."
Ian overcame an allergy to chlorine in his early swimming days.
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| Achievements | Amongst his extensive list of awards, the following awards are truly valued by Ian, and he feels honored having received them :
- The Young Australian of the Year award (2000)
- The 1999 ‘Don Award’ (The Sports Hall of Fame Sir Donald Bradman Award, for the athlete who most inspired the nation)
- The International Amateur Athlete of the Year (2001)
Since 1998 Ian’s major achievements in the pool include:
Personal Bests:
Long course (50m)
100m freestyle: 48.71;
200m freestyle: 1:44.06 (WR, July 2001);
400m freestyle: 3:40.08;
800m freestyle: 7:39.16 (WR, July 2001);
100m backstroke: 55.38;
200m Individual Medley: 1:59.66
Short course (25m):
100m freestyle: 49.05;
200m freestyle: 1:41.10 (WR, February 2000);
400m freestyle: 3:35.64 (1999)
Olympic Games:
400m freestyle: 2000 (1st WR)
4 x 100m freestyle relay: 2000 (1st WR)
4 x 200m freestyle relay: 2000 (1st WR)
200m freestyle: 2000 (2nd)
4 x 100m medley relay: 2000 (2nd)
World Championships:
800m freestyle:2001 (1st WR)
400m freestyle: 2001 (1st WR), 2003 (1st)
200m freestyle: 2001 (1st WR), 2003 (1st)
200m indiv. Medley (2nd)
100m freestyle: 2003 (3rd)
4 x 200m freestyle relay: 2001 (1st), 2003 (1st)
4 x 100m freestyle relay: 2001 (1st)
4 x 100m medley relay: 2001 (1st)
World Short Course Championships:
200m freestyle: 1999 1st WR
4 x 100m freestyle relay: 1999 1st CR
Pan Pacific Championships:
100m freestyle: 2002 (1st)
200m freestyle: 1999 (1st WR), 2002 (1st)
400m freestyle: 1999 (1st WR) , 2002 (1st)
4x100m freestyle relay: 2002 (1st)
4x100m medley relay: 2002 (2nd)
4 x 200m freestyle relay: 1999 (1st WR), 2002 (1st)
Commonwealth Games:
2002 Commonwealth Games: 6 Gold/1 silver , 400m W/R (3:40.08)
1998 Commonwealth Games 200m freestyle (1st)
1998 Commonwealth Games 400m freestyle (1st)
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