Background image

Ian Thorpe: How an introverted kid from Milperra became the most talked about swimmer in the world

 

Ian Thorpe: How an introverted kid from Milperra became the most talked about swimmer in the world

Author image
AOC
Schwimmen: Olympische Spiele Athen 2004, Athen; Freistil 200m / Maenner; Ian THORPE / AUS, gewinnt Gold 16.08.04. (Photo by Alexander Hassenstein/Bongarts/Getty Images)

At just 17 years old, Ian Thorpe entered the Sydney 2000 Olympic Games with the hopes of a nation on his shoulders. He had recently broken 10 World Records and two years earlier, at just 15, had become the youngest-ever World Champion.