IAN THORPE, OAM
AUSTRALIA’S GREATEST OLYMPIAN
Ian Thorpe, affectionately known around the world as ‘Thorpedo’ is without a doubt one of the most successful sportspeople Australia has ever produced.
Overcoming an early allergy to chlorine, Ian burst onto the swimming scene at the New South Wales Short Course Age Championships in 1994 by winning nine gold medals and at six feet tall, he was almost unstoppable. Four years later and at the age of 14, Ian edged out fellow Australian, Grant Hackett in the 400m Freestyle to claim the first of his 11 World Championship titles.
From then, the Medals, Titles and World Records continued to flow, and his achievements are nothing short of amazing.
In the Pool
- 9 Olympic medals
- 11 World Championship titles
- 10 Commonwealth Games medals
- Broken 22 World Records
- 9 Pan Pacific Games titles
Since retiring from the pool in 2011, Ian has used his profile to campaign for change and his efforts as an activist, advocate and mentor have been recognised throughout Australia and around the world.
In addition, Ian has fronted campaigns for his current partners adidas, Optus, The Star, Vortex Spas and Specsavers whilst also providing his expert commentary for Network 7 at the 2018 Commonwealth Games, Australian Swim Trials and FINA World Championships. A true testament to Ian’s character, he has been an Ambassador for global sports giant adidas for over 20 years.
Out of the Pool
- Awarded an OAM for services to sport
- Winner of the Australian Sports Medal
- Named Young Australian of the Year
- Named World Swimmer of the Year on four occasions
- Received the Human Rights Medal in 2012
- Received Honorary Doctorates from Western Sydney University and Macquarie University
- Ambassadorships for AIME, Australian Marriage Equality and the 2016& 2018 Invictus Games alongside Prince Harry
- A patron for the charity ReachOut Australia
- Partnerships with adidas, Optus, The Star, Vortex Spas and Specsavers
- Various media commentary commitments and contributions with Network 7, TEN, the BBC, the ABC, Vogue, SBS and the Huffington Post
Speaking
Ian Thorpe is available for a range of corporate speaking and MC arrangements. For more information, please visit www.selspeakers.com.
Social Media
@ian.thorpe
37.3k followers
@IanThorpeOfficial
151k followers
@IanThorpe
107k followers
SEL Contacts
- Andrew Gibbs: ag@sel.com.au
- Speaking: speakers@sel.com.au