Thorpedo Insists his Missile Flies Straight
Australian swimming sensation Ian Thorpe has found himself on the defensive following renewed speculation that it's guys who float his boat.
Thorpe was caught frolicking in the Brazilian surf with long-time housemate and fellow swimmer Daniel Mendes. The two had flown to join Mendes' family for the holidays after first celebrating them with Thorpe's back home in Oz.
But Thorpe says he pays no attention to the Brazilian hottie; they're just "mates". Who live together... and travel together...and spend time with each other's families...and attend functions together (like the 2008 MTV Movie Awards).
And just because Thorpe surprised fans a few months ago by proclaiming he was "in love" with someone who doesn't live in Australia doesn't mean it's Mendes. (But it does beg the question...then who? And how does he have time for "her" if he's always with his mate?)
Thorpe has issued a statement hoping to quell the speculation, saying he draws the line when rumors involve friends and family: "Over the last few days there have been a series of press articles published speculating about my friendship with Daniel Mendes. I am still friends with many of the people I competed and trained with during my swimming career. Daniel is one such good friend whom I have known for many years."
He goes on to mention that he's addressed the issue of his sexuality before, in a very open way. In 2007 he told Good Weekend Magazine that he's comfortable being a gay icon: it's not a big deal to me. But I think the gay speculation, along with when I was accused of taking drugs in 2000, was an attempt to pull me down from the top.
"Some people think it's an insult to say, 'Oh, I think he's gay', but I don't take it that way. I'm not gay. I'm lucky that within myself I don't care enough to get worried or upset over it."
With his glory days behind him, I'm not sure the question of Thorpe's sexuality holds the cache it once did. Besides, the Aussies seem to have cornered the "are they or aren't they" market: Hugh Jackman, Guy Pearce, Olivia Newton-John, even the late Heath Ledger (following "Brokeback Mountain"). So maybe it's just a down-under thang. The bigger winner in all this could be Mendes...if he plays his cards right. He looks like quite the hottie, and he could stick a shrimp on my barbie anytime.
(Photos: Getty Images)
Posted by Clarke Hamlin on January 29, 2009 in Swimming
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Gays always assume someone attractive has to be gay. Alot of wishful thinking.
Posted by: Adam | January 29, 2009 at 02:35 PM
Adam - true, but look at real life gay culture and the media and advertising it sets up for itself. The shallow and vain aspects of it are too stereotypic not to take at face value. Unfortunately.
Posted by: HypnoToad | January 29, 2009 at 03:12 PM
Adam - true, but look at real life gay culture and the media and advertising it sets up for itself. The shallow and vain aspects of it are too stereotypic not to take at face value. Unfortunately.
Posted by: HypnoToad | January 29, 2009 at 03:12 PM
Just look at this pic and everything will come up: http://www.flickr.com/photos/balbuena/529138983/
Posted by: marco | January 29, 2009 at 03:16 PM
Does anybody really think that an Olympic swimmer would have any problems coming out if they were gay? And if they were and wanted to stay in the closet, why on earth would they allow themself to be seen on the beach with their boyfriend, at celebrity functions or spending time with family? Get a grip guys. Wishful thinking and spreading rumors won't make it come true. Trying to out somebody who isn't in, (or is for that matter) is the quickest way to make new friends. LOL
Posted by: Josh | January 29, 2009 at 03:27 PM
>"Gays always assume someone attractive has to be gay. Alot of wishful thinking."
Actually, str8 people assume everyone is str8. And they quite often demand everyone pretend to be str8, whether str8 or not.
Posted by: corrective_unconscious | January 29, 2009 at 08:25 PM
>"Does anybody really think that an Olympic swimmer would have any problems coming out if they were gay? And if they were and wanted to stay in the closet, why on earth would they allow themself to be seen on the beach with their boyfriend...."
All you have to do is add up the openly gay athletes from the last Games on two hands and divide that number by the total number of athletes to see sexual orientation is huge issue for world class athletes. What in the world are you thinking? I'd love to hear more about your reasoning.
As for frolicking on the beach with another man when closeted I think a call to Ricky Martin is in order. (I have no opinion on Thorpe being gay, though.)
Posted by: corrective_unconscious | January 29, 2009 at 08:29 PM
Oh fuckin whatever...
How many seconds does it take for a Striaght guy to glance at a chicks tits (sorry ladies)?
About one one-hundredth - each and every time.
Sex and sexuality isn't just a huge part of anyones identity - it is at least half or more.
How many seconds does it take to check out a guys crotch if he even begins to look good?
About one one-hundredth of a second.
Unless you are the unfortunate type who realy does "confess and repent" every time you check out a "rack" or a "box" - YOU are typical.
So aside from my previous statements regarding whats really going on - here's some more truth...
To all you "solid" fucking queers who are too good to admitt that you, for one reason or another, do want to know - regardless of a "facts" potency...
Kiss my ASS.
I guess this means the next time you're engaging in some small talk over by the water cooler - you wont mind being honest about EVERYTHING?
Right?
So when "Brenda" from accounts payable stops by to mince it up about the boss's wife - you wont have any problem admiting that you too were at the company party - but you actually were wondering what it would be like to fuck his hot 18 year old son who happens to be a football player in highschool.
Oh of course not!
Just like you wouldnt even imagine thinking anything inapropriate if said football hottie somehow wound up naked in your bedroom - No - you wouldnt do the wrong thing - you'd tell Billy to get dressed and go home!
Fuck off. You are full of shit - endless bantering self righteous shit.
Just like when any of you were watching the Olympics - watching Ian and his fine ass body win some medals.
You didnt at all even wonder what it would be like to peel his shorts off and suck his dick.
Again, Fuck off.
No - instead Mr. Gay sports fan - you watched all those men line up and dive into the pool because you are Asexual and have no interest whatsoever in Sex or Sexuality.
Check it out dumb fucks -
Ian Thope et al - doesnt matter.
Whether or not he/they are GAY - DOES.
While you should never be disqualified in any capacity simply for being a homosexual - you most definately better expect and be prepared to turn around and admit it to anyone who, along the way or presently, sought to hold your people down by implying you are less.
YOU owe it to your people.
Only when we do this do we show the world that we are equal, and in some cases, even BETTER.
Like I said before...
I dont give a shit if Ian Thorpe is Gay.
And I really dont give a fuck if he is an Olimpic champion.
But if he is BOTH?
I WANT TO KNOW AND I WANT EVERYONE ELSE TO KNOW TOO!
Posted by: Wyatt1969again | February 01, 2009 at 06:03 AM
Take your meds, wyatt.
Posted by: corrective_unconscious | February 02, 2009 at 10:56 AM
realy in all reality it dont matter who is gay in the media cuz if they r gay they r loved by the gay world so they will still be famous and if they r straight they r loved by straight and gays alike we may not have all the rights we need but this may be a step to what the world needs in order to get gays there rights dont u think?
Posted by: garebear11 | February 17, 2009 at 11:45 AM