Thorpe, Ian (1982-…), an Australian swimmer, became one of the world’s dominant freestyle swimmers while still a teenager. Thorpe first gained recognition in 1998 at the World Championships in Perth, Australia, winning the 400-meter freestyle event at the age of 15. He became the youngest male to win an individual world swimming championship.
In 1999, Thorpe broke the world records in the 200- and 400-meter freestyle events at the Pan Pacific Championships in Sydney, Australia. At the 2000 Summer Olympic Games in Sydney, Thorpe won gold medals in the 400-meter freestyle and as a member of Australia’s 400-meter and 800-meter freestyle relay teams. He set, or helped set, new world records in three events. Thorpe also set individual world records in the 200-meter, 400-meter, and 800-meter freestyle events in 2001. At the 2004 Summer Olympics in Athens, Greece, Thorpe won gold medals in the 200-meter freestyle and 400-meter freestyle. He set an Olympic record in the 200-meter race. Thorpe also won a silver medal as a member of the Australian 800-meter freestyle relay team and a bronze medal in the 100-meter freestyle.
Ian James Thorpe was born on Oct. 13, 1982, in Sydney. He began swimming at the age of 8, inspired by his older sister, who was taking part in swimming competitions. In 2006, Thorpe announced he was retiring from competitive swimming. He made an unsuccessful attempt to qualify for the 2012 Olympics. In 2019, Thorpe was made a Member of the Order of Australia for his services to swimming and to charity. The Order of Australia is Australia’s highest award for service to the country or to humanity.
