commonwealth

First reaction was, "we already knew darling."

Kim67

We all probably knew before he did, I remember going "oh that nice little gay kid", when he was a young teenager first appearing on our screens and people being shocked. It's sad that he's felt the need to stay in the closet for all these years.

BritInParis

I'd only been shocked if he had come out as straight.

Beoz

Agree. Hope it all sorts his mental state out.

He and Clare Balding made a great swimming compare for the BBC during the Olympics.

jad n rich

To be honest I cant really see why its was ever an issue. Gay, sporty or not its hardly a big event anymore? is it

However the QLD Sunday mail has just excelled itself, making Queensland look like its firmly back there in 1972. What an Embarrassing and hideous front page, cringe.

Mr Grumpy

Well it was the late 90s early 2000s when he was famous, so a lot has changed since then. But the really big reason was of course sponsorship. Even now being a gay athlete means you will end up poor. Matthew Mitcham has received virtually no sponsorship after his gold medal win.

Additionally, Thorpe was trying to build a media career after swimming. He did a stint on a lifestyle show as well as made appearances in the USA. I remember seeing him on David Letterman.

But, now he has no chance of a media career and he is too old to compete on a serious level. I would say that his only direction is to become a Sports commentator.

Amazulu

Well said. Many male celebrities won't come out as it would affect their appeal to young women (their major market) and make them less bankable - Robbie Williams being a prime example

jad n rich

Just read there have been lists compiled of Gay and Lesbian Athletes.

I just have to wonder who exactly required that information.

Re, the sponsorship thing, makes Thorpie sound a bit calcluating, not gay = $$$ sponshorships, am gay = $$$ media frenzy. Almost entrepreneurial, bet hes having a bit of a laugh as the deals roll in

northernbird

as a good friend put on facebook 'the no shit sherlock of news stories'

scrubbedexpat098

Gillard might follow suit soon and come out as being ginger

Beoz

Never .... she's a leso the whole way.

carolinephillips

Until it is no longer a newsworthy event if anyone famous says they are gay, then there is still a lot of work to do to get rid of the stigma surrounding anyone's sexuality.

Did anyone watch the undercover doctor programme "Cure me I'm Gay" ? I found it horrifying that in this day and age it is still either touted as a lifestyle choice that can be "cured", or worse still that it is caused by bad spirits and can be exorcised. Shocking.

moneypenny20

I feel really sorry for him. If he'd admitted to himself (and possibly everyone else although why he should have to I don't know) what we all knew anyway years back, I'm fairly sure he wouldn't have suffered quite the level of depression issues he has.

I was also a bit bemused by Stephanie Rice's 'Tweet' about accepting his 'choice'. Does she seriously think it's a choice?

RedDragon2008

Guess breast stroke is not his favorite?

Well hopefully he is now free style

OzTennis

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