Ian Thorpe stands as one of Australia’s most accomplished sportspeople, with an illustrious career both in and out of the pool. His achievements in swimming are unparalleled, having won 9 Olympic medals, 11 World Championship titles, 10 Commonwealth Games medals, and 9 Pan Pacific Games titles. Throughout his career, he has broken 22 world records, solidifying his legacy as a swimming legend.
Beyond the pool, Ian has made significant contributions to society. He was awarded an AM for his service to youth and Indigenous education, and swimming. His accolades include the Australian Sports Medal and being named Young Australian of the Year in 2000. Ian’s influence extends beyond sports; he received the Human Rights Medal in 2012 for his work advocating for better services for Indigenous children in remote communities.
Ian holds honorary doctorates from Western Sydney University and Macquarie University. He has also made his mark in the media, hosting one of the world’s largest Olympic Games broadcasts for Star Sports India at the 2016 Rio Olympics and providing expert commentary for Seven Network at the 2018 Commonwealth Games, Australian Swim Trials, FINA World Championships, and the 2020 Tokyo Olympics. Additionally, he hosted the critically acclaimed ABC documentary series ‘Bullied,’ which led to ABC’s biggest-ever social media event.
As an advocate, Ian is an ambassador for Australian Marriage Equality, Invictus Games Sydney, and AIME. He serves as a patron and board member for ReachOut, a frontline youth mental health service. His advisory roles with the Australian Institute of Sport (AIS) and STUFF further reflect his commitment to the community. Ian also maintains long-term partnerships with prominent brands such as Adidas, Optus, and Armani.