Thorpe or no Thorpe
As was widely expected, Ian Thorpe today resigned at the age of 24.
Cited was simply a lack of interest in swimming – and fair enough too.
Thorpe has given over ten years of his life to the sport and to his country as an ambassador on the world stage.
He has held the weight of the expectations of a sporting mad, success hungry nation upon his shoulders for most of those ten years and handled the pressure remarkably well, showing a maturity beyond his years. He has sensibly used his profile to invest in various business interests and is in a position of now being set up for life.
It is now time for Thorpe, Ian James to party.
For some time now, there has been whispered speculation that Ian is gay – though many people have denied this with such statements as “He can’t possibly be – he is too good a swimmer” – additionally, there have been unconfirmed rumours of his desire for the night life…
… and who gives a toss?
Good on him if he wants to rack up a few lines and indulge in serenading the leather clad masses with his shiny pink bed flute – it is a pity that someones sexuality can be considered a barrier to them as a sporting idol or prominent Australian… but that is what a lot of people think has happened over the years.
It has often been speculated that Ian has denied that he is homosexual for fear of losing advertising endorsements or causing some of the sheen to be taken from the lustre of Thorpe Inc – and that may well be the case.
The text of his retirement speech contained some interesting language:
“As of 2.53 on Sunday afternoon I decided I would not be swimming the world championships,”
Well, I suppose that you would take note of such a momentous decision… or perhaps it was when “Sample A” was taken. The other rumour that has dogged Thorpe of late – though it is more whispered in groups of friends than publicly mentioned – is that he occasionally suffers from the Columbian ‘flu.
One expects that we will find out soon enough.
Ian, thanks for the wonderful memories that you have provided Australians through your feats in the water and out of it – good luck in your new life, party hard and enjoy a life of hedonism.
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